Bhubaneswar: Giving new wings to dreams of students interested in gaining exposure in foreign universities, Utkal University is going to launch student and faculty exchange and other inter-university research programmes involving foreign student and faculties.
Vice Chancellor of the varsity, Soumendra Mohan Patnaik informed about the programme on the sidelines of the two-day symposium on Global Innovation Design organised by the International Cell of the varsity in collaboration with Royal College of Art, United Kingdom (UK) and Imperial College of London.
As many as 40 research scholars of the Utkal University, along with five international scholars participated in the event which aims to take the research and innovation in the premier educational institution to a new level.
"If we lack foreign learning, we cannot move forward. So to project our image on the world stage, student & faculty exchange programmes are necessary," said vice-chancellor Soumendra Mohan Patnaik.
“The international symposium will bridge the gap between the knowledge domain between the West and Utkal University. Our researchers will be benefitted in terms of sharing their work and learn more about their disciplines,” said Kirtiranjan Mallick, member of the organising committee.
Pravat Kumar Nayak, a Research scholar of Utkal University said, “It’s a great experience to exchange the ideas and discuss different innovative ways with the scholars from Imperial College of London. It is a great way of exchanging ideas and culture.”
Utkal University is the only higher education institution in the State with an A+ NAAC grade and Category 1 status from the UGC.
Authorities said that to support the initiative, the University has established an international hostel for foreign students and faculties with a financial assistance of around Rs 7 crore from World Bank.
“Our perspectives are different from the local perspectives, so bringing them together would be very interesting,” said Laurenz, a research scholar from Imperial College London.
"I am looking forward and interested in the Indian students’ response towards our work and research. So it is a good opportunity to stop here in India and engage with them," said Thea Peterson, another research scholar.