MUMBAI — Indian universities too have been looking in the foreign to set up their own institutions and to better equip students for the demands of the global economy.
Some top Indian higher education institutes have had foreign annexes for several years but expansion plans aim to offer students a chance to broaden their horizons and give them an edge in the competitive jobs market.
Among them is the private university Amity, which is opening two new global business schools for Indian and international students in New York and San Francisco in July, adding to its existing centres in London and Singapore.
The moves come not just as part of a worldwide trend for international education but as the government in New Delhi looks to improve education standards to maintain India's economic growth in the years ahead.Nearly one in three Indians is under 14 and ministers say that 800 to 1,000 new universities are needed in the next decade to increase the number of students going into higher education from the current 12 percent to 30 percent.
Some foreign universities, many of which already have tie-ups with Indian establishments, including student exchange programmes, have expressed an interest.Foreign companies, for example, have said many Indian graduates, although academically well-qualified, often lack essential "soft skills" required for global business, in particular telephone manner or email etiquette.Amity and S.P. Jain said many of these problems can be eliminated just by mixing with students from different countries, backgrounds and cultures and through a more "all-round" education in and out of the classroom.
The elite Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, for example, said cultural and sporting activities are increasing on its campus and could benefit students in the long run, including in their future careers.
"I'm sure recruiters look at this," said Jaya Josha from the IIT.
Courtesy AFP
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