The University of Pune has interesting plans for non-resident Indian students who wish to explore their roots. NRI Maharashtrians in particular are being targeted by this unique culture acquaintance scheme, which is expected to be launched in January 2008.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Pune, Narendra Jadhav hopes to connect NRI youth in the US with their culture through the scheme drawn up on the model of the Term Abroad Programme (TAP). It will concentrate on universities in the US which have a large Indian student population.
The programme will provide for these students to attend a semester at the University of Pune, which will integrate with their undergraduate course, carrying credit points which American universities follow.
The syllabus for the programme would be divided between academics and non-academics, with the latter section focusing on Indian and Maharashtrian culture, history and language. Arrangements could be made for students to work in community projects and live among the locals for a deeper insight into India.
January 2008 has been set as the deadline for the implementation of the programme, which would, it is hoped, evolve eventually into an Indian Studies Programme followed by the Indiana University.
