Tag: higher education

IIT Kharagpur and University of Leeds Sign MoU for Joint Supervision of PhD Programs

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur signed of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Leeds (UoL) in recognition of the growing importance of India and a long-term partnership with University of Leeds. This collaboration aims to enhance academic and research cooperation through the joint supervision of PhD programs in the fields of Civil Engineering, Transport Studies, and Biological Sciences.

A team from IIT Kharagpur was invited to join the University of Leeds’ 25-Year Celebrations in Delhi on the 28th of June 2024. This special occasion also featured the signing of the Joint External Supervision Agreement, commemorating the longstanding relationship between University of Leeds and IIT Kharagpur.  The signing comes at an opportune moment for IITKGP, hot on the heels of a 13-member team visit of faculty members from IIT Kharagpur to University of Leeds during June 4-6, 2024.

Prof. Rabibrata Mukherjee, Dean, International Relations, IIT Kharagpur, opined that “IIT KGP is excited to team up with University of Leeds to explore the diversity of academic partnership. Under the aegis of the MoU, several activities have been carried out including joint research projects, exchange of students and faculty members, joint guidance of student thesis, etc. To further strengthen the collaboration, the two Institutes now have the External Joint Supervision Agreement, which will immensely benefit doctoral students, wherein they will receive mentorship and guidance from faculty members of both the Institutes. The initial themes of collaboration that have been identified are Clean Energy for All, Sustainable Transport, Resilient Infrastructure, Healthcare and Well-Being, Chemicals and Waster, and Water and Sanitation which also address some of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.”

University of Leeds

Prof. Manuel Barcia, Dean of Global Engagement at the University of Leeds, commented on the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with IIT Kharagpur. This MoU not only strengthens our international ties but also underscores our commitment to fostering global academic excellence. By integrating our research capabilities and academic expertise, we are paving the way for innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance the educational experience for our students and contribute to groundbreaking advancements starting with the fields of Civil Engineering, Transport Studies, and Biological Sciences. We are optimistic that as this partnership strengthens further, we will broaden our collaboration to other subject areas to benefit more students, researchers and the world at large.”

In an endeavour to continue the path of sustained collaboration with University of Leeds, IIT KGP has already started discussions on the ‘Jointly Funded Bilateral Mobility Agreement’ and it is also expected that IIT KGP will be a part of the ‘Joint Virtual Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Development’ which is being envisioned by the University of Leeds.

IIT Kharagpur

In addition to the above, IIT KGP is also looking into the possibility of participating in the ‘Leeds International Partners Conference’ which is slotted to take place in December 2024 and will be the first of its kind for Leeds. It is expected that this would give IIT KGP an opportunity to make its existing collaboration with the University of Leeds more robust and effectively use the platform to engage with its partners and share knowledge on topics of mutual interest.

This collaboration between the University of Leeds and IIT Kharagpur is poised to have a transformative impact on the future of higher education and research in both countries. By combining the strengths of two leading institutions, this partnership will foster an environment of innovation, creativity, and intellectual exchange. Students and researchers will benefit from diverse perspectives and cutting-edge resources, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements.

Also, by working together to tackle global issues, this MoU will serve as an example of international cooperation. Biological sciences, transport studies, and civil engineering are among the fields where the merger of knowledge and experience from both institutions would not only improve research and education quality but also help solve important problems. Through this relationship, other universities will be inspired to explore comparable projects to strengthen international academic and research networks and set the standard for future collaborations.

The new partnership is in line with both institutes’ strategic objectives to promote multidisciplinary research and broaden their global networks. The University of Leeds and IIT Kharagpur are sure that their partnership will result in ground-breaking findings and have a long-lasting effect on society.

Media Coverage:

Times Now Indian Express Statesman
New Indian Express Anandabazar Free Press Journal
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Kolkata Hindi News Humming Birds  Coalfield Mirror
KGP News Edex Live

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Internationalization Post NEP 2020

Global Experts to Deliberate on India as the Global Destination for Higher Education post-NEP 2020

IIT Kharagpur Alumni Foundation (India) in partnership with IIT Kharagpur is organizing an International Webinar on October 9-10, 2020, titled ‘India: The Global Destination for Higher Education (Post NEP 2020 Scenario)’. The webinar which will witness deliberations from eminent academic experts and administrators from India and abroad will set the platform for the development of policy recommendations towards the internationalization of Indian higher educational institutions in the light of the New Education Policy 2020. The panel discussions will include ‘Status of Government Institutions in Attracting Foreign Students’, ‘Contribution of Private Sector Institutions in Attracting Foreign Students’, ‘Global Alliances: Gaps and Bridging Them’ and ‘What Makes India as a Preferred Destination for HE post-NEP 2020’.

The event will be graced by Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Hon’ble Minister of Education as the Chief Guest, Shri Amit Khare, Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India as the Guest of Honour. Prof Virendra Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur is the Patron, Commander VK Jaitly, Board Member; IIT Bhuvaneswar is the Webinar Chairman and Rajah Venkat is the Convenor of the International Webinar. Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE will be a special guest. 

The Webinar is co-sponsored by PanIIT India, PanIIT USA and IIT Kharagpur Foundation of USA. Varadarajan Seshamani, Ron Gupta, Krishen Dhar, Sundy Srinivasan from these organisations are the key organisers. 

A large number of Directors of IITs, IIMs, IIITs, NITs and VCs of Government and Private Universities will be attending these brainstorming sessions. Eminent academicians from top foreign universities like Prof. Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor, University of California San Diego; Prof. Prabhat Hajela, Provost, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Prof. Geeta Mehta from Columbia University; Prof. Prith Banerjee, Former Dean, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University will be sharing the gaps that need to be bridged for the Indian universities and colleges to attract foreign students from across the world. Foreign consulate representations actively engaged in international education facilitation are also expected to participate.  

Click on this link to Register NOW:  https://sites.google.com/view/webinarsep20

Talking about the prospect Prof. Virendra Tewari, Director IIT Kharagpur said, “Academics across the nation are hopeful about the positive changes which NEP 2020 would introduce in the Indian education system across all levels. A key area where we are expecting a significant change is in the flow of inbound and outbound international students.”

A crucial area to be deliberated in the webinar is the new dynamics that would come to play in the higher education scenario in the post-pandemic world including logistics of international travel, cost of international healthcare, stay etc. 

Cdr V K Jaitly who conceptualized the initiative in 2017 and is chairing the Webinar feels strongly about the annual outflow of foreign reserves to the extent of USD 16 billion towards the cost of foreign education of about 2.5 lakhs Indian students studying abroad.

“We feel that the time has come when the mindset of Indians to go abroad for even lesser-known universities in the name of higher education will drastically reduce particularly when we talk of Atmanirbhar Bharat in various sectors,” he added.

In addition to the foreign reserves outflow, the country further experiences a loss of intellectual property and a high-quality talent pool in academia and industry adding to the economic burden. Several of the foreign universities have been thriving on Indian academics, researchers and students. India however, has the potential to earn about $ 20 billion every year from the Education Sector.

“India has very few foreign students when compared to the USA, UK, China, France, Australia etc. We are way behind and have a long way to go. We feel that the top 10% of Indian Universities and Colleges both Government and Private can attract foreign students from all over the world,” added Cdr Jaitly.

The two-day Webinar will assess the current status and draft a roadmap to arrest talent streaming out of India and attracting the students globally to Indian universities for pursuing higher education.

“In addition to improving our infrastructure, syllabi and quality of the academics, we may have to launch an outreach program throughout the world,” remarked Webinar Convenor Rajah Venkat. 

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If you have any great ideas to make “India, the Global Destination for Higher Education”, please send them to us on email id: hec@paniit.org but limited to 200 words along with your photograph and a very brief profile not exceeding 50 words and we shall include the selected ones in our Recommendations Document that will be submitted to the Education Minister of GOI.

Media Coverage:

The New Indian Express             UNI 

Media Contact: 

Commander VK Jaitly, 

Email: jaitly.iit@gmail.com, Mobile: +91 9811777904

Register: https://sites.google.com/view/webinarsep20