In a programme that could open gates for numerous international academic and educational tie ups, the centre has initiated Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN), in order to tap eminent scientists, scholars, professors and entrepreneurs from abroad, to partner with institutions in India. The national coordinator for the programme has been appointed as IIT Kharagpur.
“The programme would be implemented by GIAN Implementation Committee chaired by Vinay Sheel Oberoi, secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development. Now, IIT Kharagpur will lead the GIAN programme to bring international faculty to India. Visits for 500 courses have been planned in 2015-16. An amount of Rs 35 crore has been set aside for this,” said Prof. PP Chakrabarti, director, IIT Kharagpur.
GAIN provides an opportunity to the country’s students to seek knowledge and experience from reputed international faculty.
Under the GIAN scheme, foreign faculty will be for delivering short or semester-long courses, and for earning a single credit in the course, one would need to cover 10 to 14 hours over a period of at least one week covering five working days. These courses on offer, by the host institute, must have 50% participants from other institutes, and the will allow transfer of credits if required by the participating institutions. In addition to the foreign faculty, faculty members from all IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs, IIEST, National Law Schools, IIMs, central universities and state universities that have received A category ranking under NAAC can also submit proposals.
GIAN will provide a platform for international experts from academic institures, research organisations and industries to develop the country’s existing academic resources, increase the pace of quality reforms and cultivate India’s scientific and technological capacity as per global standards. It provides an opportunity to the country’s students to seek knowledge and experience from reputed international faculty.
IIT Kharagpur has been selected as the group leader for for IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST. IISc would be the group leader for IISc and IISER and JNU would lead all central universities and law schools while, IIM Bangalore would represent business schools. However, IIT Kharagpur would be the national coordinator.