Study India Programme for PU Workshop Begins on High Note

Chandigarh May 11, 2015: Two day workshop on “Developing a Study India Programme” for Panjab University was kick started in PU today. It is being attended by nearly 54 faculty members from 23 departments across various faculties of Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh.

The programme is being organized under the office of the Dean International Students and is being coordinated by Prof. Ramanjit K. Johal and Prof. Archana R. Singh.

The first day of the programme saw extensive lectures and detailed presentations made by experts from the Institute of International Education, British Council, University of Hyderabad were represented by Dr. P.J. Lavakare, Dr. Shruti Jain, Nicole Davis, Ms Anjum Kapur Kumar, Tanisha Thiara and Prof. Kirtana Thangavelu respectively.

In the inaugural session, PU Dean Research, Prof Lalit K Bansal was the guest of honour and the theme of “Study India Programme” (SIP) was introduced by PU, Dean, International Students, Prof. Ramanjit Kaur Johal.

Prof. Bansal in his address stated that this is a step towards internationalization of our university. This will be appreciated by international as well as by Indian Diaspora as it will help them to stay in touch with their roots. He admitted that though there will be many constraints in implementing the programme but the workshop will be able to come out with the solutions for the same through two days brainstorming. He further suggested having a brand image of India through innovative programmes such as “Panjab University Bharat Adhyan”.

Institute of International Education, Senior Advisor in India Dr. P.J. Lavakare in his presidential address discussed the initiation of SIP in University of Hyderabad. He asserted that unless the faculty is convinced and involved, the programme can not be a success. Quoting many figures from various studies, he stressed that the demand for Indian programmes is building up in US and Europe. Ratio of foreign students in Indian Universities is 1:1000 which is dismal considering the fact that India has the demographic dividend; however, the same will convert into global employability only when we prepare our students as “Global Citizens”.

The technical sessions saw the coming together of many ideas, diverse opinions and interactive sessions. The session on “The need for Study India Programmes in Indian Universities: A review of GOI Higher Education Policy Framework” was moderated by

Program Manager, IIE, New Delhi, Dr. Shruti Jain. The session started with presentation made by Dr. P.J. Lavakare, where he stated that as per UGC new guidelines, a University has to perform three major functions: teaching, research and service. GOI’s policy statement also emphasizes on developing skilled manpower. The 12th Five-year plan also mentions that strategy for higher education internationalization must be developed; however, no guidelines or rules have been issued to enforce the same.

While referring to the need for internationalization of higher education in India, he stated that as per NASSCOM Report (2005), only 25% of our technical and 10% of our general graduates are found to be employable by local employers. So, making our students employable is our biggest challenge. He further stressed that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ model for internationalization. Learning should generate capability of applying their discipline in local, national and international contexts.

He stated that students, faculty, institutions and government are all the stakeholders in internationalization of higher education.  Referring to AISHE reports, he stated that there are few Indian students going abroad due to lack of scholarships for the same; however, inviting foreign students to India will help the Indian students to get global exposure. The Study India Programme is one positive step in this direction.  He further mentioned that out of total 30 million undergraduate students in India, only 30,000 are foreign students. Out of this 30000, 70-75% are from Asian countries.  So, efforts must be initiated to bring students from developed countries to study in India.  While referring to various such initiatives in various countries such as ‘US-China Initiative”, ‘Generation UK India’, Brazil Scientific Mobility Programme, he emphasized the need for such an initiative in India as well. He concluded by stating that despite India’s increasing popularity as a study destination, there are many challenges in expanding the study abroad to India; it is high time that we should come out with strategies to overcome these challenges.

It was followed by a recorded presentation by Director, Generation Study Abroad (GSA), Institute of International Education, New York Ms Nicole Davis. She highlighted the three major obstacles faced by foreign students in studying abroad, namely- cost, curriculum and culture. She listed the goals of GSA (1) mobilizing resource commitment, (2) raising awareness and (3) shifting the paradigm through collaboration with countries, governments, institutions and other stakeholders. The main areas where GSA is working are - awareness and advocacy; research and recognition; advice and training; and scholarship and grants. She also deliberated upon the need for Study India Programme in Indian universities and linking it with Higher Education India Network which would in turn help Indian students to develop as global citizens.

The second technical session was moderated by Prof. Upinder Sawhney.  British Council was represented by Anjum Kapur Kumar and Tanisha Thiara who shared information about the British Council’s Generation UK-India Programme which aims at facilitating 25,000 young UK students to come to India. These students are being facilitated by British Council to undertake cultural immersions, teaching assistant-ships, work placements etc. The British Council is seeking university partnerships to provide the right eco-systems and support for this very ambitious programme.

Director, Study India Programme, University of Hyderabad, Prof. Kirtana Thangavelu shared the history of this programme in their University which according to her is the only one of its kind. The SIP at Hyderabad started 17 years ago. The academic vision of this programme was internationalization of the campus with an idea to look at India as an entity not from the orientalist perspective but open an open global economy. The students who are coming for SIP to the University of Hyderabad are primarily from US and Europe  who come three times a year (in batches of 40 each approx).

The first day ended with an interactive session where the faculty members of PU clarified their doubts and discussed unique issues with the experts. The second day of the workshop will see more such presentations which will be followed by specific suggestions and observations from faculty members for suitable courses of study, areas of internship, field study possibilities, training and other expertise that can be offered by the faculty and the curriculum of the PU to the visiting students. The programme will begin at 9:30 am tomorrow on May 12. / (SK Vyas, Jalandhar)