U.S. - India HEI Collaboration

Digital Guide on Internationalization: Simplifying U.S.-India HEI Collaboration and Partnerships

With a focus on the growing importance of the U.S.-India relationship, the University of Denver’s (DU) Office of Internationalization, with support from the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (U.S. Department of State) and in partnership with Rajika Bhandari Advisors, has launched a new project aimed at furthering higher education partnerships between Indian and U.S. institutions. 

Higher education partnerships between the United States and India have grown rapidly in recent years as have the number of students studying and contributing to the U.S. economy. However, despite this growth and clear interest amongst both Indian and U.S. institutions to expand their engagement, significant variations in both U.S. and Indian higher education institutions pose a barrier to partnerships. To address these gaps, this new project brings both a sense of structure and cohesion to current internationalization efforts across Indian and U.S. institutions, but also emphasizes learning and knowledge-building to sustain and ultimately further U.S.-India educational collaboration and exchanges. 

Spanning 2023-2025, the new project will focus on both virtual and in-person delivery of content and experience, including the development of a model digital guide on internationalization, capstone projects, and a virtual and in-person knowledge exchange involving select Indian and U.S. institutions and aimed to coincide with DU’s 2025 Internationalization Summit. Interested parties can download 1-pager below.

Solution

Solution

Sample Couse Modules

Sample Course Modules

Robust Online Course

In order to initiate, develop, sustain and maintain academic partnerships between HEIs in the United States and India, this guide will provide Indian HEIs with information on the U.S. education system, resources for internationalizing their campus by partnering with U.S. HEIS, best practices followed by HEIs from both countries who have already developed collaborations, importance of DEIA in recruiting, building on different types of partnerships — student and faculty exchange, curriculum development, research and data sharing and more. 
 
This online course is intended for faculty and staff at Indian institutions. Are you an Indian HEI looking to partner with U.S. HEIs? Submit your interest here.

The Team

 

U.R.


 


 

RB

 

MR

Dr. Uttiyo Raychaudhuri joined DU as the Vice Provost in January 2020 and will be the primary advocate for the University’s internationalization efforts. He is charged with leading the University on internationalization programs, partnerships and services, as well as developing and implementing DU’s comprehensive internationalization agenda. Dr. Raychaudhuri is to lead the continued development of DU’s global strategies and to preside over an Office of Internationalization that highlights DU’s strength in research, community engagement and teaching worldwide. Additionally, Dr. Raychaudhuri manages a large and complex set of units including the International Student and Scholar Services, and the Office of International Education, which runs DU’s hallmark undergraduate study abroad experience, the Cherrington Global Scholars program. He is responsible for the development and continuation of DU’s strategic partnerships with select institutions abroad, an essential part of DU’s long-term vision. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st century education and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, DU opens a world of opportunity to students and empowers Pioneers to make a difference around the world.

 

A global expert in international education, Rajika Bhandari is the author of six academic and nonfiction books and several publications that touch upon the themes of movement, migration, and crossing borders. She is the author of the award-winning memoir, America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility and hosts the World Wise Podcast, a weekly take on the intersections of education, culture, and migration. She has written for the New York Times, the Guardian, Times Higher Education, the Huffington Post, Ms. Magazine, National Geographic Traveller, the Chronicle of Higher Education, University World News and Diplomatic Courier; been featured on NPR, PRI International and Voice of America; and been quoted in the BBC, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Times of India, and Time, among others.
 


Melquin Ramos serves as a Grant Research Coordinator at the University of Denver. In this role, he supports the Simplifying U.S.-India HEI Collaboration and Partnerships grant which focuses on furthering higher education partnerships between U.S. and Indian institutions. His experience in international education includes research, writing, and analysis; data management; virtual exchange; study abroad; and international programming. Melquin holds a master’s in organizational leadership from the George Washington University and a bachelor’s in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland, College Park. 

Online Course

Online Course Module 1
Higher education partnerships between the United States and India have grown rapidly in recent years with a clear interest amongst both U.S. and Indian institutions to expand their engagement. However, the significant diversity of both U.S. and Indian higher education institutions and lack of comprehensive understanding poses a barrier to developing a shared understanding and knowledge base of regulations, mechanisms, and best practices for collaboration that can ultimately help enhance and scale U.S.-India partnerships.​ 
  
Standardization across the concepts and structures of internationalization approaches between the two countries have been disparate and lack cohesion. The result is a field of considerable activity (yet lack of data), poor coordination and inconsistent standards and practices, with limited sharing of knowledge and best practices. ​ 
 
Course Structure – Modules
Through content designed and delivered by leading experts in the United States and India, the course will span approximately 15-30 hours and consist of 15 units, each taking about one to two hours to complete. Throughout the course, you will explore a wide range of topics, including the foundations of internationalization, technology enabled internationalization, inter-cultural competence, DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access), partnership models, and more. 

Module 1: Introduction to Internationalization

This module will focus on introducing basic concepts of internationalizing higher education, both from a US and India perspective.  
  • Introduction to the project  
  • Internationalization 101 (definitions, key terminology, concepts)   
  • Landscape analysis - advantages, benefits, challenges, and barriers   
  • Technology enabled internationalization (COIL; Virtual; MOOC’s)   
  • Internationalization and inter-cultural competence  
  • Internationalization including diverse perspectives  

Module 2: Internationalization in the U.S.-India context

Building upon the core concepts of module 1, this module will explore specific aspects of U.S.-India higher education with implications for internationalization.  
  • Introduction to U.S. higher education systems   
  • U.S. community colleges   
  • Vocational and skill development in Indian context  
  • NEP & internationalization - prospects and possibilities   
  • U.S.-India partnerships - opportunities and disciplinary collaborations   
  • U.S.-India educational ties  

Module 3: Understanding and implementing the Internationalization Process

Building upon Modules 1&2, this final one will focus on application and implementation of key concepts and internationalization plans. 
  • Partnership models and frameworks for internationalization 
    • Key considerations and best practices  
    • Joint, double, and consecutive degrees 
  • Partnership development criteria 
  • Types of collaborations 
    • Internationalization through student and scholar mobility 
    • Internationalization of the curriculum 
  • Institutional strategies and international programs 
    • International student recruitment and pathways 

Additional resources and videos will be provided for you to review at your own pace.  Active engagement with the course content and participation in discussions with other participants are key expectations of this program. Upon completing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to submit an optional capstone project. The course will launch in early December 2024--stayed tuned for updates!

If you have any questions or would like to connect with the team, please reach out to usindiapartnerships@du.edu.

This is a program of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

Related News and Events