BWI: Penn State Hosts U.S.-India Higher Ed Research Conference October 10-11, 2011

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Penn State
Thursday, October 13, 2011 05:54 PM IST (12:24 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Lifestyle, People; Business: Education & training, Media & entertainment
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Penn State Hosts U.S.-India Higher Ed Research Conference October 10-11, 2011
High Profile Think-Tank to discuss Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Higher Education in India

University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, Thursday, October 13, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- The U.S.-India Higher Education Research Conference hosted by Penn State University was inaugurated by Michael Adewumi on University Campus. The two day conference had the participation from high-level delegation of invited administrators and researchers from India and the U.S. on October 10-11, 2011. The purpose is to create a network of scholars and policy makers that can serve as a think-tank for discussing opportunities and disputes associated with higher education in India.

"We expect that this inaugural conference will also contribute to establishing and strengthening relationships and friendships between academic communities in the U.S. and in India, and of course with Penn State," said Michael Adewumi, vice provost for Global Programs and leader of the Global Engagement Network strategy.

Other eminent dignitaries such as Sam Pitroda, the Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, and Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member of the Planning Commission of Higher Education in India were present at the conference. Mr. Pitroda said, "It's time to question the model of education and we hope through these kinds of dialogues with Penn State, we can learn about new programs that will create a good situation for everyone. "

This conference was organized by the Faculty Implementation Team of Penn State's Global Engagement Network with special focus on India. The conference was primarily led by Arvind Rangaswamy, senior dean of faculty and research in the Smeal College of Business.

Highlights from Day 1:

-- Inaugural conference a launching pad for collaboration between the two countries as India embarks on a strategic reform of its higher education programs
-- PSU to work in conjunction with Indian authorities and has proposed innovative ideas surrounding the growth and development of higher education in an effort to revamp the system in India
-- Obstacles of the Indian education system:

- Minimal access to quality education that will provide students with the credentials to compete in a global economy
- Shortage of quality faculty members
- Students graduating without basic soft skills that make them employable
- India's low gross enrollment ratio: 19 percent (%age going on to higher education)
- India's "regimented" system of education- lack of flexibility and freedom of choice

-- Solutions Discussed:

- Integration of liberal arts into the curriculum will enhance the overall quality of higher education and produce well-rounded, marketable employees
- Improvement of the student-teacher ratio, number of qualified teachers
- Development of a system around human nature that allows for more focus on learning rather than exams and offer students more flexibility, such as the ability to choose their courses

Adewumi explained that as an institution, Penn State must set out on the course toward global leadership in scholarship and international engagements through partnership. The conference's cooperative conversations, interactive presentations and thought-provoking discussion sessions will serve as a catalyst for the synergistic and collaborative relationship the U.S. and India hope to cultivate in the coming years.

Some of the delegates will also attend the U.S.-India Higher Education Summit, hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on October 13 in Washington, D.C.

About Penn State:

The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service. Its instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education offered through resident instruction and online delivery.

In the fall 2010 semester there were 695 Indian students studying at Penn State, representing the third-largest nationality group after China and South Korea.

For more highlights on the presentations click here


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