Stanford, Melbourne varsities to offer expertise at VGS 2013

Consolidating on its theme of 'quality education, internationalisation and skill development', the two day 'International Conference for Academic Institutions' 2013 (ICAI - 2013), organised in run-up to Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 will see major global varsities and educational institutes signing memorandum of understanding (MoUs) within the state.

Major global universities like Stanford University, University of Houston, University of Melbourne, Shanghai International Studies University, University of Glasgow, University of Lancashire, University of London, London School of Business and Finance, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University are set to offer co-operation in various higher education activities in Gujarat through the MoUs. "Over 260 universities and institutions are going to participate in the conference, of which 145 will be international universities, 52 national and 63 state based institutions.

The universities and institutes will sign MoU in areas like laboratory set up, centres of excellence, technology sharing, curriculum, research collaborations, student and faculty exchange programs and skill development," said DJ Pandian, convenor-ICAI 2013 for international collaborations. Apart from the global universities, Indian universities, educational institutions and bodies like IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, Delhi University, JNU, IIM Indore, MS University of Baroda, IIM Ahmedabad, IRMA, Planning Commission, AICTE, and TISS will also be participating in the conference and signing letters of co-operation with the state government and each other.

Speakers at the conference include Hasmukh Adhia, principal secretary, education, Gujarat, Judith Wolfson, VP, international relationship, University of Toronto, Craig Mahoney, CEO, Higher Education Academy, UK and Sanjay Lalbhai, MD, Arvind Ltd.