Cambridge, MIT experts to help design syllabi of Indian institutions, says Smriti Irani

New Delhi: The HRD ministry has roped in experts from leading global universities such as Cambridge, MIT, Pennsylvania to help design and “internationalise” syllabi of higher education institutions in the country, Union Minister Smriti Irani said.

Speaking at the launch of 10 projects in different states under Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Irani said that experts from institutions including University of Edinburgh, MIT, Cambridge, University of Pennsylvania, UC Berkeley, University of Washington and University of Georgia Tech have been roped in to upgrade the curriculum in social sciences, sciences, mathematics and engineering.

“The government of India has been in touch with some international faculty and academicians and institutions who shall through RUSA, a national higher education mission, help states internationalise their curriculum in order to benefit their students,” Irani said.

Irani who launched various projects including the inauguration of a Model Degree Colleges in Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh, Rajnandgaon in Chattisgarh, Boys’ Hostel in Amritsar, also held interactions with students via teleconferencing.

She announced a competition under which students were invited to design a logo with acronym related to aspiration of students and promised that winning entries would get a free study tour abroad. The logo would be announced on 15 August, she said.

During the interaction, she also told students that the ministry has asked institutions to provide counsellors to deal with stress.

She also said the HRD ministry has made the process of dealing with grievances related to fellowships faster from earlier 175 days to 28 days now.

Irani also said that students should be allowed to pursue the courses of their choice.