Sikkim University to enter into academic collaboration with two British universities

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 18 Feb: Sikkim University, the University of Glasgow and the University of Sheffield Hallam have decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding binding them to work together in areas of mutual interest. This followed from two days of intensive interactions and discussions between the Sikkim University and two universities of United Kingdom.
Addressing a press conference today, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University, Prof Mahendra P Lama, informed that the areas of partnership and collaboration agreed upon are - management, academics, research and technology.

This initiative is part of the “UK-India Education and Research Initiative” [UKIERI] mainly to explore common areas of interest and possible areas of academic and research collaborations.
Prof Vivienne Baumfield, International Dean for South and Central Asia represented University of Glasgow and Professor Mike Smith, Pro Vice-Chancellor [Research and Enterprise] was the representative from Sheffield Hallam University who participated in the interaction and discussion held on 17 and 18 February.
On the first day, yesterday, an interactive session was held with the faculty and students of Sikkim University, during which the two British representatives also introduced their universities and conveyed the message and objective of their visit.
On the occasion, Prof Lama detailed Sikkim University’s vision while department coordinators outlined departmental ethos and vision in their respective presentations.
The visitors were also given a tour of SU classrooms, library and laboratory, and were highly appreciative of the university’s achievements given its young age and were very keen to take the talk to the next level.
Similarly, on the final day, today, the core team of Sikkim University, which included faculty members and senior management officials, sat together for a final round of discussions with Prof Baumfield and Prof Smith to concretize the way forward to “sustainable and long term academic relationship”.
Addressing a press conference today, Prof Lama explained the various initiatives and programmes will be taken up in these four areas of partnership and collaboration after the signing of the MoU.
Prof Lama informed that Sikkim University was among the 15 universities selected by the Central government for this bilateral interaction between Indian and British universities.
In her presentation on Glasgow University, Prof Vivienne informed that the university wants to promote inter-disciplinary projects through collaboration for “mutual benefits and mutual opportunities”.
She also expressed her happiness on being in the state to develop partnerships and stated that the university has resources and would like to promote collaboration.
Next, Prof Smith, in his presentation on Sheffield Hallam University, stated that Sikkim has lots of areas with potential for research and learning.
He also mentioned that collaboration on the potential areas will be beneficial and successful in the future.
UKIERI is a five year programme which aims to substantially improve educational links between India and the UK to be each other’s partner of choice in education in long term.
It has been recognised as the programme that is playing an important role in fostering contacts across the UK and India in the field of higher education.
The initiative will also ensure that the UK and India are engaging in the constructive dialogue on key policy issues.
It was informed that the SU is working with the central and state governments, regulatory bodies, associations and individual institutions to ensure that the respective international education policies are harmonised to best effect and to support each other’s broader international educational aspirations.
UKIERI has been responsive to the varying needs of the state governments and educational sectors, and policy dialogue will lower barriers to co-operation on both sides and therefore enhance the overall effectiveness of the initiative.