Our growing partnership with IISER Pune

The transnational educational landscape in India is transforming, offering us and other Higher Education institutions across the UK an opportunity to connect and develop joint programmes with Indian universities. In this light, Professor Moyra Boland, Dean for Global Engagement in Central and South Asia, discusses our growing partnership with the Indian Institute of Science Education Research Pune (IISER Pune).

The time for cooperation is now

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK and India aims to strengthen relations between the higher education systems of the two countries. It facilitates academic cooperation, encourages mobility of students and mutual recognition of qualifications between the two countries, and promotes continuing studies and excellence in higher education through cooperation, academic and research exchanges.

Our partnership with IISER Pune

Supported by grants and funding from the British Council Going Global Exploratory Project, IPDF 2022 and Erasmus Plus, our STEM-focused partnership with IISER has grown and flourished, involving several schools from the University of Glasgow. Here are some of the highlights:

Mutual enrichment in learning and teaching

Our knowledge exchange programme established a community of learning between lecturers in Pune and Glasgow. We shared expertise and tutored one another on our own strengths and teaching experiences using technology for active learning and high-tech video apps, in a remotely delivered course. We shared our understanding of transnational education courses, discussing relevant content, credits and course organisation. We discussed perceptions, identity and positionality as researchers and HE tutors from our own perspectives - a valuable and enriching experience.

Cooperative teaching

We improved one another’s international competencies and created opportunities for enhancement, through internationalisation of the HE curriculum. This focused on our students’ 21st century skills such as technical, information, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, with the aim of enhancing employability for both the Pune and Glasgow students.

Networking

We are now working on creating COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) sessions, a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) and a Micro Credential Course involving IISER Pune, UofG and external partners. Staff from IISER Pune recently visited the University of Glasgow and participated in an international collaboration roundtable event focused on research and education.