Programmes for exchange of students, faculty and collaboration in research likely to begin on November 1

The University of Pune (UoP) will soon be collaborating with two universities in the United States for research in social sciences, sciences, management and engineering. UoP vice-chancellor WN Gade has taken a step further under the Obama-Singh Initiative by collaborating with the US varsities for the first time.

Gade, along with other vice chancellors from the state, had gone on an official visit to Harvard University for a multi-disciplinary approach for leadership development from July 29 to August 3.

Interestingly, Gade extended his tour and met chancellors of Indiana Police University and Penn State University for research, faculty and students’ exchange programmes.

“There were deliberations with the highest officials of these universities. This would be for the first time we will have bilateral collaboration,” Gade said.

He said, “The Indiana Police University has number two ranking in social science studies and its overall ranking in the world is 22. I spoke with the chancellor regarding increasing use of technology in education and social science education improvement programme.

While Penn State University, which has global ranking 34, will have faculty, research and students exchange programme.” “In principle the tie-up with both universities has been approved,” he said, adding that the letters of intent from them have reached the state government. “We will send a proposal to the state government and expect to sign the memorandum of understanding. We are planning to begin the programme by November 1,” Gade said.