Soon U.S. students will learn Ayurveda and Kalaripayattu offered by universities in the State.
Five varsities
The Kerala State Higher Education Council has asked five universities to develop programmes in traditional areas to attract foreign students as part of its India Study Semester initiative.
Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Calicut University and Kannur University are expected to launch these courses by the next academic year.
T. P. Sreenivasan, vice-chairman of Kerala State Higher Education Council, told The Hindu that some of the proposed areas of study as part of the latest scheme included philosophy, Kerala history, culture, fine arts and indigenous medicine. He said U.S. students would be able to spend a semester or more in the State and pursue a programme specifically meant for them.
Mr. Sreenivasan said the project was part of the efforts to improve internationalisation of higher education in the State. He said the International Relations Group 1 Chair constituted by the government would act as a catalyst and coordinator to boost international collaboration activities carried out by the universities.
He said the council has also recommended academic tie-ups between universities in the State and the U.S.
He said the varsities could offer postgraduate programmes to attract talents from various foreign countries.
12th Plan
The council seems to be relying on the strategy for higher education internationalisation envisaged as part of the 12 Five Year Plan. Future projects to be undertaken include faculty and student exchange programmes, institutional collaborations for teaching and research, exposure to diverse teaching-learning models and enhanced use of Information and Commuciation Technology (ICT). Globally compatible academic credit systems, curricula internationalization and processes for mutual recognition of qualifications are also being discussed.
A global meet with special focus on international education to be held at Thiruvananthapuram in January will work out the finer details.
