Eminent scholars from international universities will design special courses that will benefit the students and faculty of MLSU. This is the initiative by MHRD under the project GIAN (Global Initiative for Academic Networks) in which MLSU is included. It is aimed to tap the talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs internationally to encourage their engagement with the institutes of Higher Education in India.

“GIAN is envisaged to catalyze higher education institutions in the country and it will initially include all IITs, IIMs, Central and law universities, selected good state universities where the spinoff is vast” informed Prof Sanjay Lodha, the local coordinator.

 This is an evolving scheme which will initially include participation of foreign faculty in Institutes as distinguished, adjunct, visiting faculty, Professors of Practice etc. to participate in delivering short or semester-long courses. Other activities such as research collaborations will be included in due course, Prof Lodha said.

Each participating institution has been asked to submit proposals on courses related to twelve categories like Physical Sciences, Chemical, Bio-Chemical & Material Sciences, Mathematical & Computer Sciences, Life Sciences, Medicine & Healthcare,  Electronics, Electrical, Information & Communication Technology, Mechanical Sciences & Infrastructure, Earth & Environment Sciences, Management, Social Sciences and Law, Humanities & Liberal Arts, Architecture, Design, Planning and Heritage and other Interdisciplinary categories.

A lump-sum amount of up to $8000 for 12 to 14 hours of contact and $12000 for 20 to 28 hours of contact would be paid to the foreign experts covering their travel and honorarium. “The host institute has to gain consent from the foreign faculty first before submitting the course proposal to the sectional committee which will in turn seek final approval from the national committee” Lodha said.

The courses may commence from December depending on their approval.

……