GIAN

by Amita Dokhale · December 10, 2015

Governments of the United States and India have pledged to collaborate through India’s Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) to facilitate short-term teaching and research programmes by up to 1,000 visiting US academics in Indian universities.

GIAN is an ambitious initiative and promises to connect “Centrally recognised” institutions, notably Central universities, IITs and IIMs with the best scholars and institutions in the US.

The government’s position is that, among other things, GIAN will be beneficial for the adoption of new methods of pedagogy, boosting research in cutting-edge technologies and building stronger academic networks between both countries. –

The courses will enable promotion of interaction and learning niche subject areas for the students of different Institutes/Universities and provide opportunity for the technical persons from Indian Industry to improve understandings and update their knowledge in relevant areas.

There is no doubt that as an idea and a plan for action, GIAN holds great promise. Once implemented, provided its execution is carried out with a fair degree of competence, it will, over time, connect knowledge communities in the US and India as well as deepen existing networks to the benefit of our higher education and knowledge sector.

GIAN was conceived of as a way to create a channel for US academics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to spend time at higher education institutions across India. Six months later, humanities has been added to the list of disciplines. It is possible that the Indian side woke up to include “research” and “humanities” as relevant to GIAN or maybe the Americans suggested their inclusion.

The success of GIAN will depend substantially on the coordination and management capacities of the MHRD and the concerned higher education institutions.

An amount of upto US$ 8000 for 12 to 14 hours of contact and upto US$ 12000 for 20 to 28 hours of contact can be paid to the foreign experts covering their travel, honorarium and video recording of their lectures.