Indian Institute of Heritage and University of Birmingham announce strategic partnership

Courtesy: University of Birmingham 

The University of Birmingham and the Indian Institute of Heritage are joining hands  to create new opportunities in the fields of Heritage, Museums and Museology. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a strategic partnership that will create impactful collaborations in the field of education and research. The partnership will help students and experts from both institutes to participate in research projects as well as drive student exchange programmes between academics.

“The University of Birmingham is a global ‘civic’ university, and we are committed to forging meaningful education and research partnerships in India. Indian students occupy an important place in our global student community and our commitment to the country as a strategic partner. This partnership with the Indian Institute of Heritage allows both institutions to build on our undoubted strengths across heritage, museums, and museology – creating opportunities for students and staff in both India and the UK,” said Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham.

The University of Birmingham is renowned for its proficiency in heritage research, and its International Centre for Heritage stands as a global pioneer in adopting sustainable and innovative methods for heritage management practices and future strategies. The postgraduate programs offered by the Centre equip students with the necessary skills for pursuing careers in heritage, with numerous alumni holding prominent positions in museums and conservation agencies.

The University has established meaningful collaborations in India, supported by its India Institute, which seeks to enhance Birmingham's presence, influence, and coherence in its involvement in the country.

The Indian Institute of Heritage is a prominent cultural institution in India. It conducts research on India's diverse heritage and provides outstanding educational opportunities that make significant contributions to the cultural, scientific, and economic aspects of India. The institute offers M.A. and Ph.D. programs in various disciplines, including Museology, History of Art, Conservation, Archaeology, Paleography, Epigraphy, and Numismatics. These programs are enriched through close collaboration with the National Museum in New Delhi, involving engagement with galleries, exhibitions, storage and reserve collections, and the conservation laboratory.

Dr. B. R. Mani, Vice-Chancellor, Indian Institute of Heritage said, “Indian Institute of Heritage is stepping towards making its global presence felt in the field of culture and heritage. This collaboration will result in creating informed and efficient heritage professionals and academicians in the future. It will be benefiting our students and staff. The Indian Institute of Heritage is focused on creating a comprehensive pedagogical framework with incorporation of modern working methodologies and technologies, work ethics, and other fundamentals.”

Foreign universities in India: Looking a GIFT horse in the mouth?

GIFT City, Gujarat: pic courtesy: Jay Soni (Unsplash)

The stage is finally set for foreign universities establish campuses in India.
 
The University Grants Commission (UGC), has set up a committee that will facilitate their entry. According to reports in the media, the universities will be permitted to operate from GIFT city in Gandhinagar to offer post-graduate and executive programmes in financial services and technology. They will not have to follow domestic rules. Which indicates that local education regulators such as UGC and AICTE will not supervise them and they might be allowed to make and repatriate profit.
 
Now all of this sounds very promising and if it does come through, it will be a huge step in the right direction. Over the years, attempts to open up India’s higher education space to international universities have been a series of hits and misses. In 1995, the then government drafted the Foreign Education Bill which was ultimately shelved. In 2006, there was another bid to allow foreign universities into India but the draft law was not approved. Finally, in 2010 the UPA-2 government brought the Foreign Educational Institutions Bill which ultimately lapsed in 2014 when the political regime changed.
 
International colleges and universities have been collaborating with Indian educational institutions since the early 1990s when government regulations did not, allow foreign institutes to set up campuses in India or, recognize foreign degrees awarded in India. Collaborations were inked to help foreign institutes market their programs in India through a local partner, participate in student and faculty exchanges as well as lend their expertise. Collaborations ranged from twinning agreements, joint faculty and staff exchange programs to support in curriculum design and pedagogy. 
 
So what does the new mandate mean for foreign universities keen to set foot into the Indian market?

“This will open new opportunities for Indian universities for collaborative research in emerging areas such as finance and technology. To facilitate such collaborations, UGC will work with Indian universities and provide the necessary assistance,” UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar told Moneycontrol.
 
Foreign universities opening campuses will boost internationalisation and exchange of students and faculty. The National Education Policy 2020 gives a green signal to foreign universities interested in setting up shop in India and domestic institutes to establish campuses abroad. Through all this, the government hopes to reduce the foreign exchange outflow by bringing overseas education to India.
 
But the entire study abroad experience for Indian students involves living in a foreign country. Will the GIFT experience be able to provide that? 
 
Only time will tell.

 

Internationalisation on the table

While internationalisation is the newest buzz word in academic circles around the world, education institutions face different challenges when trying to make their mark in the globalised world.

Institutions in the South Asian region have similar opportunities and challenges but there is currently no regional initiative at the higher education level that focuses on collaboration. There are very few examples of institutions sharing their experiences with each other on how they are meeting the demographic challenge; what is working; what is failing and working together to do what needs to be done.

Britain’s Anglia Ruskin University hosted a round table in Delhi recently to discuss “Internationalisation and its impact on student experiences.” The initiative was part of the British university’s continued focus and commitment to South Asia.

Policy makers and senior academics from universities in the Asian sub continent (India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) participated in the discussion, which ended up as a lively, interactive exchange of ideas and strategies that would help participating varsities collaborate with each other and promote internationalisation at their campuses.

Participants included Professor Michael Thorne, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University; Professor K S Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore; Dr Rajan Welukar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai; Dr G James Pitchai, Vice-Chancellor, Bharathiar University; Professor Erinjery Joseph James, Karunya University; Major General Milinda Peiris, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo; Professor Abdus Sattar, NorthSouthUniversity, Bangladesh; Professor Rahman, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh; Dr Prem Nair, Amrita University; Dr Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Pro Vice Chancellor, Calcutta University; Professor SH Pawar, Vice-Chancellor, DY Patil University, Kolhapur; and Sangeet Jaura, Associate Vice President, Chitkara University.

Academics at the round table: Collaboration on the cards

In India for instance, collaboration between universities and education institutions for research, teacher mobility, student mobility for research, joint degrees, and academic exchanges through partnerships and collaboration is prominent on the Government’s agenda. Indian universities are promoting research collaborations with foreign universities and this trend is going to continue to grow in the future. The Indian Government has been prioritising resources in favour of joint research collaborations and has increased allocations to research councils.

The round table in progress

However India hasn’t had much of a success in the race to be an education hub unlike Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai. Sri Lanka on the other hand has a focused plan to attract foreign investment in the higher education sector – an initiative

which has strong government support.

With the participating universities promising to work with each other at the round table, their internationalisation strategies and efforts should get the much-needed shot in the arm.

According to Anglia Ruskin academics, progress from the round table will be monitored and reviewed for the next one to be held in 2014.

School of Communication set up by Shiv Nadar University and US university

The Shiv Nadar University (SNU) today announced the launch of the School of Communication (SoC) offering undergraduate, graduate and research level programs in communication. The University also announced a new collaboration with the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania (ASC) through which ASC will assist SNU in designing the curriculum for its programs along with assisting SNU in identification and training of faculty. The partnership also established both faculty and student exchange programs. Students and faculty from both institutions will have the option of spending up to two semesters at Pennsylvania campus or at the SNU campus at Greater Noida.

Annenberg School for Communication

Nikhil Sinha, Vice Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University said, ‘The growth of communication and media in India has been exponential and India increasingly requires globally relevant research-led programs in communication. Annenberg is a globally renowned institution and stands at the forefront of education, research, and policy studies on the processes, nature, and consequences of existing and emerging media. We believe that this collaboration would help us leverage ASC’s proven track record of five decades in Communication Education and Research to create a world class communication program at the SNU School of Communication.”

Michael Delli Carpini, Dean, Annenberg School for Communication said, "The Annenberg School for Communication has been committed to responding to changes in both the nature of Communication as a social process and in Communication as a discipline. We see our partnership with the Shiv Nadar University as an opportunity help all aspiring communication professionals become better consumers and producers of public information, strengthen their understanding of the role of communication in their personal, professional and civic lives, and prepare them for private and public-sector leadership positions in communication-related and other fields. We look forward to an exciting partnership.”

Academic programs will commence in August 2013. Students completing the programs successfully will obtain a degree issued by Shiv Nadar University.

University of Plymouth partners with Kaziranga University

Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2012, the University of Plymouth is another prominent British institution expanding its footprint in India.

Bill Rammell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth along with a delegation comprising Peter Ingram, Head of International Office and Professor Sanjay Sharma visited India in February 2012 to explore the possibility of collaborating with Indian varsities.  

University of Plymouth: India footprint

A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between Kaziranga University in Assam and the University of Plymouth. The agreement will open the doors for the sharing of learning resources, faculty resources. This will have long-term implications in terms of placements of Indian students in international markets and pave the way for development, research collaborations, and faculty and student exchange programmes.

A delegation from the institution will hold series of meetings with officials in India and work in areas of curriculum development, curriculum implementation and its assessment.

Kaziranga University coupled with Plymouth University’s expertise in areas including robotics, engineering, computing and environmental sciences will converge the three themes shaping the future of education, namely education and society, education and learning science, and education and learning tools, to form a new learning framework through their School of Management Studies and the School of Engineering. 

“Together with a research-informed curriculum, we embed employability skills throughout a student's journey altogether. More such agreements are expected to be signed in the near future,” said Rammell, adding that his university was excited to have collaborated with Kaziranga University. He said Assam was famous for having the highest population of the one–horned rhino and it would be a noble effort to save such a rare animal by creating awareness through global educational ventures.

Vilas M Salokhe, Vice–Chancellor of Kaziranga University said the university would start its academic session with courses in engineering and management. “The university aspires to become the centre of excellence for teaching and research by embracing diverse branches of learning such as health sciences, agriculture, environment, IT and allied subjects. Students will find ample opportunities to get an exposure to the best institutes and corporate houses in the country and abroad, “ Salokhe explained.

Rammell said there was an inherent link between higher education and economic growth and thus it was vital that universities delivered innovative and enterprising education to produce graduates who would thrive in the global market.  

La Trobe University to collaborate on research and development of leading-edge technologies in India

Australia’s La Trobe University is strengthening its presence in India.

The university has signed agreements with three Indian companies and institutions - global technology firm HCL, electric vehicle manufacturer Mahindra Reva in Bengaluru, and Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, Rajasthan.

The agreements focus on innovation, new product development and realisation, industry collaboration, commercialisation of intellectual property and institutional links.

La Trobe University: India Calling

The La Trobe University delegation was part of the Victoria Super Trade Mission, which was visiting India from 20 to 26 February. 2012. The mission was led by the Victorian Premier, Ted Baillieu.  More than 100 Victorian companies participated in the trade mission.

Professor John Dewar, newly appointed Vice-Chancellor and President of La Trobe University is accompanied by Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Professor John Rosenberg, and senior delegates from La Trobe University.

Professor Dewar says: “La Trobe University is taking a number of significant initiatives during this mission to further enhance its presence in India. We are committed to our relationship with India and look forward to building increasingly strong research and educational collaborations with Indian companies and institutions, and welcoming more Indian students to our campuses in Australia.’

Professor Dewar explained that the alliance with HCL involves collaboration on research and development of leading-edge technology for Intelligent Transport Systems. It deals with traffic and infrastructure management, security, enhanced driver safety and logistics support for transport operations. It also involves recruitment by the company of La Trobe University graduates.

Professor John Dewar, Vice Chancellor and President

Professor Dewar will also sign a higher education exchange and co-operation agreement for research and teaching with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, Rajasthan. The La Trobe University delegation will travel to Bengaluru to sign a MOU with Mahindra Reva for joint research and development of an advanced ‘green’ energy management system at the company’s new electric vehicle plant in Bengaluru.


Technologies for both these systems were developed by La Trobe University’s Centre for Technology Infusion in Australia. They have already been installed, respectively, in a hundred cars for a major road and rail safety traffic research project in the southern Australian State of Victoria, and in Australia’s first Zero Emission House, built last year by the government peak science research body, CSIRO and private industry.

Collaboration pact between JKLU and US varsity

International colleges and universities have been collaborating with Indian educational institutions since the early 1990s when government regulations did not allow foreign institutes to set up campuses in India or, recognise foreign degrees awarded in India.

Collaborations are inked to help foreign institutes market their programmes in India through a local partner, participate in student and faculty exchanges as well as lend their expertise. Collaborations range from twinning agreements, joint faculty and staff exchange programs to support in curriculum design and pedagogy. Research published by Dr Sudhanshu Bhushan of the Higher Education Unit of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration elaborates on the existing number of foreign education providers in India and their partners.

JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU), an institute that offers courses in management, engineering and technology has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with St Cloud University of Minnesota, USA.

The institutes will collaborate in the areas of faculty exchange, short term training, student internship, joint research programmes and joint supervision of doctoral students. The MoU also offers a specific five years integrated programme leading to dual degree of BTech and Masters in Technology Management.

JKLU has existing collaboration agreements with Hanyang University, South Korea and University of Wales, UK.

Hari Shankar Singhania, Chairperson, JKLU, said, “The purpose of this MoU is to make explicit the areas of collaboration between JK Lakshmi University and St. Cloud University. With strong international affiliations, JK Lakshmipat University would cater to the needs of specifically tailored management development programmes for the companies on an exclusive basis besides general programmes that it will offer to industry and other stakeholders.”