Modi Govt’s new initiative: US academics to teach in Indian varsities

New Delhi, Oct 3: Days after it asked 5,000 highly accomplished scientists to take classes in schools and colleges the Narendra Modi government is now planning to bring American academics to teach in various Indian universities.

The idea is to invite and host up to 1,000 American academics every year to teach in centrally-recognized Indian universities. The academics - mainly from the field of science and innovations -- may visit India at their convenience, says a TOI report.

Notably, US President Barack Obama has agreed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal during his meeting in Washington on Tuesday.

The India-US joint statement, issued after the meeting, said, "The President (Obama) welcomed India's proposal to establish the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN or knowledge) under which India would invite and host up to 1,000 American academics each year to teach in centrally-recognized Indian universities, at their convenience."

Officials said that the Human Resource Development Ministry will work out on the modalities to invite these US academics and assign them specific universities across India to teach on a short term basis.

"Purpose of such initiative is to expose Indian students to the experience and expertise of the best of Indian scientists and US academicians," an official was quoted by TOI as saying.

Earlier last month, Earth Sciences Minister, Jitendra Singh had said that over 5,000 highly accomplished scientists, working with various departments under Science and Technology Ministry would devote time to impart education to students of various schools and colleges in the country.

Addressing a news conference in New Delhi, Singh had said the concept was new for the country. Singh added that scientists will have to teach for 12 hours and evaluation of their teaching skills will be done after every three years.

HRD ministry will collaborate with concerned departments in this endeavour.

OneIndia News