Three UK universities were in the city last week to firm up research collaboration with their Indian counterparts.The renowned mountaineer and Chancellor of Lancaster University, Sir Christian Bonington, was in the Capital last week to preside over the inaugural graduation ceremony of 111 students of the G. D. Goenka World Institute ( GDGWI). Lancaster University has a partnership with GDGWI. Majority of the students were awarded postgraduate diplomas in business management and 20 received an M. Sc. in Management. Speaking at the ceremony, the Chancellor said he was delighted to in the city to celebrate the success of the new graduates. Education is the foundation of economic success,” Bonington said. “The partnership between GDGWI and Lancaster University has produced academic programmes that prepare students careers in today’s competitive and global economy,” added.
GDGWI and Lancaster University partnership was established 2009. Students at GDGWI follow the Lancaster University curriculum and accorded degrees by the University. As part of the collaboration, faculty from Lancaster is flown in to India to teach the students and university also provides extensive staff training to GDGWI faculty. addition, students from GDGWI have the option to choose a summer programme at Lancaster University or relocate Lancaster to study the remainder part of their course. The collaboration is a validation of the degrees from Lancaster; it fosters student- faculty exchange. The partnership is also extended to appointment of faculty and curriculum implementation,” said Vijay Gupta, director, GDGWI. Quality of education seems the cornerstone of the partnership. Said Professor R. D. McKinlay, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Lancaster University, “ Lancaster University is known for its world class education and same is replicated here at GDGWI. We work closely and even oversee the appointment of faculty GDGWI.” Speaking about her experiences at GDGWI, Shilka Abraham, who graduated with a post graduate diploma business management and also received the Gopi Ram Goenka Medal for Outstanding Performance in curricular and extra- curricular activities, said, “Not only is the curriculum different, it encourages critical thinking, engages with the real world and prepares you to be a leader.” Even as a global faculty gives you international exposure while being in your own country, the GDGWI at present offers programmes in business, engineering and management. It is planning to expand to other disciplines like health, law, medicine and architecture. However, the wait for being granted the university status by the government has put these extension plans on hold. “ We have applied for state university status, but it is taking time. Therefore, we can expand as much as we want,” said Gupta. Watch this space for the update. The G. D. Goenka World Institute has applied for state university status. Once it comes through, the institute can expand its offerings.
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UK Universities scout for Indian Talent
By Tairah Firdous | Mail Today – Tue 14 Feb, 2012We apologize. An error has occurred. Please try again.
Suleikha Snyder
Poorna Jagannathan
Nathalia Kaur
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