Twinning: boon or bane?
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Twinning is gaining ground as institutions here try to collaborate with those abroad
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For those in search of a simple definition of the concept of "twinning" in education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has the answer.
In its guidelines for recognition of programmes offered by Indian universities abroad, the commission comes up with a clear explanation of the word twinning.
"Twinning means an arrangement by an Indian university/institution with a foreign university/institution to offer academic programmes in India or abroad towards the award of degrees/diplomas, either individually or jointly, using the resources of both," says the guideline.
Considered as offshoots of the impact of globalisation in the higher education sector, twinning programmes have started gaining ground amid apprehensions as to whether the pattern of education followed will function properly. In academic circles, there are voices for and against the concept of twinning.
"My personal opinion is that while I consider the educational and informational levels as well as the basic course material of a good university to be the same around the world, the attitude and approach will be different," says Bruce Miller, Professor and Coordinator of the Rajagiri International School for Education and Research (RISER).
Rajagiri International School has twinning programmes with Assumption University (Thailand), engineering/MBA courses; Western Michigan University (U.S.), Engineering/MBA courses; SUNY (U.S.), engineering/MBA; Gannon University (U.S.), engineering; NEWI (U.K.), engineering; University of Maryland (U.S.), social work; James Cook University (Australia), engineering.
Nearly 30 students are enrolled for the management and engineering programmes offered by RISER.
The fee ranges between Rs. 5 lakhs and Rs.15 lakhs (tuition and living expenses) approximately.
Prof. Miller says that the value of international education lies in being able to understand different ways of seeing, interpreting and solving problems.
"The greater the number of ways you can think about a situation, the greater the chances of coming up with the optimal solution. In the international scenario, if you cannot understand how your competitors think, how can you compete or even survive?" he asks.
"Studying outside the country will expose you to students and faculty from different backgrounds, with different points of view, and with different ways of solving problems," he adds.
But president of the All-Kerala Private College Teachers Association (AKPCTA) Thomas Joseph views twinning in a different way.
"Twinning programmes have changed academic collaboration into more of a business collaboration," he says.
"Moreover, such programmes are offered in the country without any regulation. And there are also doubts whether the institutions abroad are accredited," he adds.
Boosting exchange
Prof. Joseph says that the attempt should be to boost academic exchange among teachers and students in various countries.
But those in favour of the concept feel that twinning programmes provide students with the knowledge, attitude and experience to stay ahead in the global market by providing valuable international exposure along with a world-class academic foundation.
This approach helps the student to acquire the kind of knowledge and exposure, employers the world over are looking for, they say.
Experts at RISER point out that students are able to get cost benefits, as the programme is conducted partly on their own campus.
G. Krishnakumar
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