Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)
Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) in Higher Education is a new Government scheme that aims to increase footfalls of reputed international faculty to Indian academic institutes; and thereby bring in international academic excellence in India’s higher education institutions.
This programme was initially conceptualized as an Indo-US collaboration but was later its scope was extended. The programme is initially to be confined to IITs, IIMs, NITs and some central universities with ‘A’ Grade.
ISWT
The Guest lectures are arranged under GIAN via its International Summer/Winter Term (ISWT) programmes. These terms are either short term or long term.
Current Status
It has been reported that number of academics from Germany, US, Canada, France, England, Australia have shown interest in the GIAN scheme. The first GIAN backed course by a foreign faculty is expected to start in NIT Surathakal in November 2015.
Key Issues
There are two major issues that might challenge the implementation of this scheme viz. Copyright and Funding. Some American universities have raised issue of intellectual property related to recording of the lectures and copyright concerns. The Smriti Irani led Ministry is doing its best to ensure that the scheme is made workable.
Further, funding may also be an issue. The government will pay a very high remuneration (for example USD 12000 for a 2 weeks contact programme). The duration of such guest courses can be mutually decided by the host institution and the visiting faculty. Such high financial incentives have been kept at par with China, which offered around same monies to global academics to teach at their universities. The Government has reportedly set aside Rs. 35 Crore for GIAN scheme to conduct 500 courses across Indian Institutes by global experts from top foreign universities by end of 2016.
But, since IITs and IIMs don’t take any financial support from the Centre, they have argued their inability to pay such as high remuneration. According to reports, the Central Government is pitching in with additional funds for such institutions.
Comment / Analysis
Although our country has not been able to set up campuses of Foreign Universities here via the Foreign Universities Bill; this scheme must be able to be a turning point in higher education. The Government’s interest in proper implementation of this scheme can be gauged from the fact that it roped in Fields Medalist Dr. Manjul Bhargava, R. Brandon Fradd Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University as its brand ambassador. The scheme connects India’s top institutions and Central universities with global faculty. It will be helpful for adoption of new methods in teaching, boosting research and cutting edge technologies and building stronger academic networks. However, success of this initiative depends on coordination and management capacities of the MHRD and the concerned higher education institutions.
