Learnings from U.S.-India Cooperation on Post-secondary Education:
This session featured experienced voices discussing opportunities arising from India’s efforts to internationalize education. Attendees had the chance to learn about various U.S.-India collaborative modalities, modernized multi-disciplinary instruction and research at Indian higher education institutions, and relevant Indian and U.S. governmental initiatives.
Ms. Meena Saxena presented strategies for successful collaborations, identified common pitfalls that universities encounter, and offered suggestions for enhancing U.S.-India cooperation in higher education.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity to connect with senior international educators from the USA, Europe, and Asia, opening doors for collaboration opportunities for NMIMS University. The experience of presenting at the NAFSA conference was invaluable. It not only enhanced NMIMS University’s visibility and reputation but also paved the way for numerous collaboration opportunities and knowledge exchanges, ultimately contributing to the university’s mission of achieving academic excellence and global integration.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the key features of India’s National Education Policy of 2020, including flexible partnerships between students and educators, multi-disciplinary alliances for research and education, and the internationalization of India’s higher-education ecosystem.
- Explore twinning, joint-degree, and dual-degree programs, alongside transfer programs that existed prior to India’s National Education Policy of 2020.
- Learn how to involve the private sector in research and recruitment and engage in cohort-based recruitment strategies at selected Indian institutions.
- Discover opportunities for U.S.-India initiatives, such as training educators, administrators, and researchers in organizational leadership, learning design and technology, outreach, and promoting on-campus multi-disciplinary alliances for both instruction and research.
Presenters:
Chair & Presenter:
Prof. Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Evan Pugh University Professor at Pennsylvania State University, Jefferson Science Fellow with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and Chair of the U.S.-India Higher Education Partnerships Committee, a G2G entity.
Presenters:
Ms. Heidi Arola, Assistant Vice President for Global Partnerships, Purdue University Ms. Gauri Kalra, Education Specialist, U.S. Embassy, New DelhiMs. Meena Saxena, Director of International Linkages, NMIMS University
Conference Highlights:
NAFSA serves the needs of international educators worldwide and is a leading organization committed to international education and exchange. The organization works to advance policies and practices that build global citizens equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in today’s interconnected world. The 2024 NAFSA Annual Conference brought together over 9,500 professionals from more than 100 countries, with 40% of attendees from outside the USA. This four-day event featured training workshops, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and special events. The conference included an impressive line-up of 188 learning sessions across 14 thematic areas, including Comprehensive Internationalization, Global Trends, Leadership Skills, Regulatory Complexities, Research & Learning, Sustainability, and more.
