Nalanda University
ASEAN-India Network of Universities : Faculty Exchange Programme
About ASEAN-India Network of Universities
ASEAN-India Network of Universities (AINU) is envisioned as the knowledge ecosystem forged through the linkages among the premier institutions and universities in India and ASEAN Member States with Nalanda University as the nodal institution. The initiative is invested in framing and strengthening the paradigms of knowledge production in order to engage with region-specific concerns.This collaboration will ensure capacity building and creation of regional thought leaders from the Asia- Pacific in the emerging multi-polar world.
“History is witness that India and ASEAN have had vibrant relations for thousands of years. This is also reflected in our shared values, traditions, languages, texts, architecture, culture, cuisine etc. And therefore, the unity and centrality of ASEAN has always been an important priority for India... The year 2022 will mark the completion of 30 years of our partnership. India will also complete seventy-five years of its independence. I am very happy that we will celebrate this important milestone as the 'Year of ASEAN-India Friendship'.”
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at the 18th India-ASEAN Summit, October 2021
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India announced at ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi in January 2018 about setting up of a network of universities to encourage greater inter-university exchanges between India and ASEAN. The Government of India has designated the Nalanda University, Rajgir, to take the lead on the formation, as well as, sustenance of the AINU. Keeping in mind the goals of mutual assistance, sustainable progress and equitable development, the AINU has been envisaged as a collective knowledge network.
“In its present avatar, as we rebuild, revive and repurpose Nalanda, we see it as a symbol of Asian Renaissance and resurgence. The overriding objective of Nalanda University today is to serve as a ‘bridge and foundation’ in linking India with the world through the knowledge route. The University is therefore engaged in recreating this renascent vision based on the Indian and Asian wisdom and knowledge systems.
If the world's future lies in achieving a multi-polar system, it is necessary that an institution such as Nalanda charts the course of new knowledge system for the 21st century.”
Prof. Sunaina Singh, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University
Under the collaborative venture the AINU will offer participating universities the opportunity to twin with institutions in India and ASEAN. With its region-specific concerns, this initiative will stimulate knowledge sharing, and eventually lead to the creation of a common resource pool, for India and ASEAN Member States. This would offer opportunities for exchange of skills, competence, best practices and knowhow.
The AINU is planned as a joint project between India and ASEAN, in three fronts –
- Faculty Exchange
- Doctoral Student Exchange, and
- Joint PhD Research Supervision/ Joint Research.
AINU-Faculty Exchange Programme
The programme involves exchange of faculty members from the participating institutions from India and ASEAN member states. The duration of exchange would be for one semester. During the visit, the faculty member will be required to offer courses, and undertake joint/collaborative research. This program will enable exchange of knowledge, expertise, and skills. It will also bring in dynamism into the region in the academic arena.
Focus Areas
The major fields that the AINU would explore are –
- Engineering
- Science and Technology
- Policy and Lawmaking
- Trade and Investments
- Peace and Security
- Sustainable Development
- Humanities
- Religion
- Cultural Intersections
- Blue Economy
In these areas, AINU would not only enable free flow of information and ideas, but also encourages regional cooperation. The institutions from India and ASEAN region can play an anchoring role in global research scenario by supporting teaching and research in these fields.
Consortium: ASEAN-India Network of Universities
The consortium refers to the group of premier higher education institutions from India and ASEAN Member States. The objective is to facilitate and sustain the activities of faculty exchange, student exchange and cotutelle, thus to realize the larger goal of production and dissemination of knowledge, competence and knowhow, and enable people-to-people interaction among the participating institutions.
The participating institutions shall be:
- the institutions with the status of “institutions of national importance” and the Central Universities of eminence from India and the premier institutions from the ASEAN Member States
- the institutions that offer Master’s/Doctoral programmes in one or more areas specified by the project.
- the institutions shall have submitted Expression of Interest (EOI) to be part of the ASEAN India Network of Universities.
- the institutions shall have proven their commitment for ensuring academic excellence and maintaining the highest standards of integrity in academic research and teaching.
Nodal institution
The institution that carries out the establishment of ASEAN India Network of Universities, the consortium of the participating institutions from India and ASEAN region; it shall be the institution that oversees the implementation and functioning of the AINU-FEP project. In the present case, nodal institution refers to Nalanda University.
Parent institution
The institution which initiates the exchange, carries out the selection and subsequently sends the visiting faculty for the exchange program.
Host institution
The institution which hosts the visiting faculty, where the faculty on exchange offers courses and carries out collaborative research.
Personnel:
The participating institutions will designate a Project Coordinator from among their existing staff as the single-point contact on all matters concerning the AINU-FEP. The Project Coordinator at the participating institutions from among their existing staff will designate a as the single-point contact on all issues concerning the AINU-FEP. The Project Coordinators will facilitate in smooth functioning and fulfilment of responsibilities carried out by the parent institutions and host institutions.