‘Indian students are smart, intelligent and motivated’
In an effort to encourage students to pursue higher studies in Pennsylvania, USA, the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Hub has collaborated with a group of Indian institutes on December 5.
In an effort to encourage students to pursue higher studies in Pennsylvania, USA, the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Hub has collaborated with a group of Indian institutes on December 5.
Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board (HSNC) that runs 17 educational institutes such as KC College, Churchgate, RD National College, Bandra (W), apart from Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune among others. The programme aims at providing undergraduate courses at eight foreign universities affiliated with the programme.
Wilfred H Muskens, deputy secretary for International Business Development, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) spoke to HT Education about the functioning and the benefits of the programme for Indian students who wish to study abroad.
What is the Global Pathways Institute- Pennsylvania Hub?
Global Pathways Institute is an initiative of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State (federal state) along with educationist, Sujay Jairaj, trustee of Narsee Monjee Educational Trust. It is a Middle States Association (MSA) accredited institution with a unique programme that allows students to complete two years of the four-year undergraduate degree course in India, and the next two years at any Arcadia university or their affiliated institutions in the United States.
What brings Penn hub to India?
We believe India is one of the most important markets in the world with regards to higher education. Pennsylvania and India have a long shared history — 13 years ago, we were the first US state to open a trade office in India. It is a marriage of equals, where Pennsylvania is extending its hands to India and vice versa. We think it would be a win-win situation for both.
Which educational programmes will be offered to the students at Penn Hub?
Various inbound and outbound international educational programs have been designed for the students at Penn Hub such as Summer Abroad Programmes that are popular amongst the students in India which help benefit them from a broader socio-economic spectrum. Other programmes such as Internship Abroad programmes, Skill-Based Programmes, Global Studies, Dual Degree Programmes have also been designed.
What do the Global Studies and Dual Degree programmes include?
Global studies are programmes in which classes for a particular semester are conducted abroad and students reside in the destination city for the entire semester. The Dual Degree programme allows a foreign partner institution to offer the first half of their university degree programme by replicating segments of the curriculum. Courses offered in India will be the clones of the model on campus. This programme involves a student studying for two different university degrees in parallel, either at the same institution or at different institutions. The two degrees might be in the same area or two different subjects as per the choice of the student and the applications that are submitted.
How do you think Penn Hub will benefit Indian students?
The Penn Hub is a two-way street where the Indian students will benefit in various ways. The US culture will flow to India and the Indian students will take their culture and experiences to universities in USA. Students from both the countries get a chance to study abroad. Various programmes implemented for the students will help them grow globally. It also gives the Indian students an opportunity to study abroad for a few semesters, instead of pursuing an entire degree out of the country.
The Pennsylvania Hub has collaborated with which College and School institutions across India
Hyderabad (Sind) National Collegiate Board (HSNC) which shelters around 27 educational institutions across India is one of the boards that Penn has collaborated with. Other institutes include Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.