Through the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Indiana University (IU) will expand its presence in India through partnerships with two Indian Institute of Management locations under memorandum of understandings signed on Aug 31st 2011.
The signings are part of an 11-day visit to India by IU President Michael A McRobbie and several university administrators and deans. During the trip, which includes stops in Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi and Hyderabad, the presidential group will meet with several Indian universities as well as alumni, businesses and leading politicians, including Indian Vice President Shri M Hamid Ansari.
“We live, work and learn in an increasingly global world, which demands that we provide our students and faculty with myriad international opportunities in order to provide the best education possible,” McRobbie said. “The partnerships we are forging and the contacts we are making in India are consistent with our international strategic plan and will open the door for future opportunities in this important part of the world.” IU already has strong student and faculty ties to India: Of the university's 7,000 international students, 800 are from India, the third-largest international population at IU. The university also has more than 240 faculty members of Indian descent.
The five-year agreement with Indian Institute of Management Lucknow will formalise and expand the relationship between the Kelley School and Lucknow, while the partnership with IIM Rohtak is the first collaboration between IU and the newest IIM.The memorandum of understanding with IIM Rohtak, also a five-year agreement, will initially focus on faculty research workshops and doctoral student development. Eventually, the Kelley School and IIM Rohtak hope to offer a dual executive MBA program targeting working professionals in India.
“This is a very special day for Indiana University, the Kelley School and India,” said Kelley School Dean Dan Smith. “At the Kelley School, we think these types of collaborations are the way of the future as we look to provide our students with a unique educational experience. IIM Lucknow is one of the most innovative institutes of its kind in India, and IIM Rohtak has the promise to become a marquee member of the IIM family. IIM is the leading name in business education in India, and we are proud to be partners with both institutions.”
