Courtesy: Iran Front Page
The transformation of higher education and research in Iran over the last twenty years is a cautionary tale in cultural sociology and political economy. Iran has transitioned from a global colleague with high rates of international collaboration to an isolated, ideologically purged state that has pivoted its innovation engine toward survival. The outward migration of talented Iranians is a terminal threat to the nation’s long-term prosperity.
Courtesy: Gateway House
In recent months, visa restrictions have been imposed on foreign students particularly Indians, seeking higher education, especially in the U.S. and the UK. Post-study work opportunities, a key factor in international education choices, have also been affected. This creates an opportunity for India to step in and attract foreign students by introducing an ‘S’ visa that permits post-study work opportunity in India.
Courtesy: Gateway House
The new U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, has much to do – and reviving high school exchange programmes stalled due to funding shortages is one important task. Students are a significant element of the bilateral: 300,000 Indian students study in the U.S., but barely 1% of that comprises U.S. students in India. The exchange programmes can bridge the gap - and India can pick up some of the tab.
Courtesy: Gateway House/Google
India’s new policy of allowing foreign universities to set up their operations in India offers an unprecedented opportunity for Indian cities to revitalise themselves. In Mumbai, the city and state administration can reposition the central business district of Nariman Point and turn this tip of the Arabian Sea into a vibrant international education hub. The model of Lower Manhattan is applicable.
Courtesy: Arun Sinha/Flickr
If, after nine years, BRICS remains a disparate grouping, and its trade and investment flows remain dismal, it is time to explore new avenues of cooperation to consolidate the alliance—and culture and education can provide the necessary cementing factor when combined with the New Development Bank
Courtesy:
Gateway House's Rajni Bakshi is quoted in Business today.
Courtesy: Phil Humnicky/Georgetown University
The first Indo-U.S. Education Summit held last week showed much promise. While education can be driving force of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, this is also an opportunity for business. India's massive education sector, estimated at $25 billion, is waiting to be tapped.
Courtesy: VirajSushiKarnik
On the eve of US President Barack Obama's visit to India, Gateway House hosted an Indo-US Youth Dialogue to formulate an agenda for the youth to be presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Obama
Courtesy: VirajSushiKarnik
Highlights of the Indo-US Youth Dialogue
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
With the commencement of the sixty-fifth annual UN General Assembly, Stewart Patrick, CFR‘s UN specialist, says there is “increased sentiment in the UN General Assembly and also within the UN Secretariat that there is really a crisis of relevance to the world body and the organization.”