NEWS,-After business, it’s time now for Gujarat to emerge as a global education hub

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- Reputed global universities tie-up with Gujarat-based universities for knowledge sharing and collaborations - Eight collaborations forged today - 213 participants from 145 internationally reputed universities of 57 countries Gandhinagar, January 9, 2013: As a part of the Vibrant Gujarat 2013 Summit, the Government of Gujarat today organized the second ‘International Conference for Academic Institutions’ (ICAI) at Gandhinagar. The ICAI efficiently connected several international academic institutes with most of Gujarat’s universities and their senior decision-makers. More than 145 foreign universities and 52 Gujarat-based universities converged at the conference today to explore internationlisation of education in Gujarat and keep pace with the time and promote skill development and R&D. Participants from more than 145 reputed international universities and 57 countries were present for the conference.  The ICAI acted as a catalyst for the universities in Gujarat to build international relationship with the reputed global institutions for promoting long-term sustainable strategic partnership in order to promote internationalisation of education, innovation and R&D culture and skill development.  Some of the key tie-ups made were between: Gujarat Forensic Science University with Galilee International Management Institute, Israel; Indian Institute of Teacher Education with University of Helsinki, Finland; Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) with Cairn India ltd; Knowledge Commission of Gujarat with British Council, UK; Dept of Technical Education, Govt of Gujarat with Seneca College, Canada; Gujarat Technical University with University of Lancashire; Dholera SIR & PDPU with Cadila Pharma ltd; IIT Gandhinagar with University of Saskatchewan. Speaking at the conference, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr Narendra Modi said, “I have a dream of a society that gets knowledge from information, I have a dream for individual empowerment through the benefits of knowledge, and a dream for young learners to have an opportunity to learn. I have a dream for universal access to education through technology. Opportunity is only fully realized when everyone has access to knowledge.” The ICAI provided a platform for participants to derive lessons from global learning of institution building. The Gujarat-based participants understood global institutional mechanisms required for sustainability of the University System and analyzed various models of academic collaborations and research collaborations with foreign institutions. Both, the foreign and Gujarat-based participants identified systems and developed approach for institutionalizing the Industry-Institution interface. The participants also explored possibilities of foreign campuses in Gujarat and associated challenges.  Few of the respectful universities /institutions like University of Toronto, Times Higher Education, Institute of International Education, Seneca College, Canada, University of Wollongong, Australia, University of Houston, Stanford University and many more were present for collaboration with their Indian counterparts.  The ICAI had esteemed presence of deans, directors and senior faculty heads from about 145 international universities. From Gujarat, the heads of all the major universities and academic institutes were present.  The collaborations and tie-ups forged at the ICAI were mainly categorized in four areas: Collaboration between Gujarat and foreign based universities, tie-ups between university and industry, tie-ups between university and research institute, and between industry and research institute.

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