When L uc E. Weber, Rector Emeritus of the University of Geneva and president of the Glion Colloquium (a think tank of 20 selected presidents of the top 200 universities of the world), said “universities have to be innovative, international and research intensive”, he could not have been more concise. A point not lost on the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), which has demonstrated its commitment to internationalise in order to secure global recognition as an internationally reputed organisation, facilitate knowledge and cultural exchange, recognise diversity and inclusiveness, create a stimulating environment, and enhance international partnerships.
Dr Raghu Radhakrishnan, Director International Collaborations, MAHE, put it succinctly: “Universities of the 21st century need to necessarily be dynamic, democratic and demonstrate significant diversity. They have to be sustainable, accountable and productive.” The strategies adopted by MAHE to promote internationalisation include building an effective academic and scientific community with the capacity to engage with the top 500 universities in the world; serving the international community by offering academic and research programmes of excellence; enhancing international partnerships and creating synergy by addressing the knowledge triangle of research, education and innovation; and, addressing issues of global relevance by being an essential part of the global network.
While the list is exhaustive, the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme attracts the highest number of international students. Postgraduate programmes in Clinical Virology; Exercise and Sports Sciences; Urban Design Development; Humanities, Media and Communication; and Geopolitics, International Relations and European Studies; and undergraduate courses in Occupational Therapy and Health Information Management; and Medical Biotechnology; have the highest concentration of international students. Today, MAHE is the most successful Indian university in attracting international students under the students exchange programme. It has instituted numerous international and intercultural programmes through the Centre for Intercultural Communication, Department of Languages and Centre for European Studies, which offer rigorous short-duration three-credit modular programmes. The courses offered by Kasturba Medical College, a unit of MAHE, are recognised by the University Grants Commission, and it is the only Indian institution to be recognised by the New York State Education Department. Medical students from partner universities are encouraged to participate in visiting student electives offered at MAHE’s Medical and Dental Colleges. As members of Global Health Learning Opportunities and Global Educational Exchange in Medicine and Health Professions, MAHE creates opportunities for students pursuing clinical, research or public health electives outside their home country.
Established in 2013, the Office of International Affairs and Collaborations (OIAC) is primarily responsible for providing direction and assistance and synchronising the university’s international engagements. The office serves as the primary liaison and resource centre for the university’s vital international links by supporting the development of all agreements and partnerships signed with overseas universities, foreign governments and international organisations.
The OIAC provides opportunities for an international experience and the necessary expertise on various aspects of settling in on the campus and compliance with immigration requirements for international students, international faculty and staff, and short-term exchange visitors. It also administers student exchange programmes with partner institutions. The Study-Buddy Program provides information to international newcomers to help them adjust to the new environment. The Manipal Academic Exchange for Student Traineeship and Research Outreach portal is a central pool of around 2,000 research projects aimed at promoting international student training and research internships. MAHE signed an agreement with British Council to make the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) available for its students.
In sum, there are at least 10 aspects of internationalisation that MAHE continues to promote in partnership with overseas universities joint teaching initiatives, joint research projects, joint conferences, joint publications, student exchange programmes, faculty exchange programmes, dual degree programmes, summer and winter school opportunities, study abroad programmes and joint executive education programmes.
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