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G. VISWANATHAN, founder and Chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), is particularly focussed on forging international links for both the staff and students of VIT with a view to boost academic standards. "In the wake of the policy of economic liberalisation, we have to prepare our students for not only the Indian market but the world market. That is why we have forged relations with various international universities and industries," he said.
For several years now, VIT has been closely interacting with universities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and to some extent in Australia and the U.S. "We invite professors from our partner-universities to come to VIT and deliver a course [of lectures], or guest lectures," Viswanathan said. This depended on the duration of their stay, which varied from eight to 10 weeks or a few days. There were also professors from abroad who spent their sabbatical at VIT.
Professors from India, who have settled abroad, are being invited to join the VIT faculty. "This year alone, we have six of them, returning from Japan, Germany and the U.S., to join our faculty," he said. The VIT also sends its faculty members to foreign universities for six months or more to keep track of the latest trends in their areas of specialisation. Some of them are doing their Ph.Ds in the West. "The European Union is supporting our efforts to send our teachers to Europe and get professors from there," Viswanathan added.
For the past three years , students from France and Germany have been doing their projects at VIT. About 25 students of the VIT, passing out this year, will do projects in Europe. Many VIT students have also done their Masters in universities in Europe, especially in Germany, and in the U.S.
"These international connections provide our staff and students an opportunity to learn much more than from classrooms. It is a training ground for them to serve in industries, particularly in multinational corporations," Viswanathan said. About 95 per cent of VIT students who passed out in the last academic year found jobs in various industries. "This year, we want to reach 100 per cent placement," he said.
The VIT's memoranda of understanding with the Governments of Rwanda, Bhutan and Uganda have enabled students sponsored by these governments to study at the VIT. Their fees are paid by the respective governments. Many non-resident Indians (NRIs) also admit their wards at VIT.
T.S. Subramanian
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