The Boston University administration is considering the possibility of opening a campus in India in the future, school officials said.
India’s Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal and his delegation came to Boston last month to meet with BU’s President’s Council on the Global University about the prospect, International Programs Associate Provost Ben DeWinter said.
Though there is not set timeline or definite plans in place, DeWinter said if BU were to establish a presence in India, it would benefit both the nation of India and the BU community.
‘India provides a very rich mix of religions, cultures and traditions that could enrich the experience of our students and faculty,’ he said. ‘To have firsthand contact with a country that is growing economically by leaps and bounds would be a considerable benefit for our students.’
The committee focused on India this past year, and recommended that BU look into the possibility to see what presence, if any, they might establish there, DeWinter said.
Metropolitan College Dean and committee chairman Jay Halfond said in an email that it’s appropriate for BU to explore the program before making a definite commitment.
‘Boston University always investigates new opportunities, but very cautiously and with an eye towards ensuring that any commitments would replicate our on-campus quality and wouldn’t tax or risk our resources,’ he said.
BU President Robert Brown and other officials will soon be traveling to India, University Provost David Campbell said in an email.
‘ ‘The President and a group of faculty and administrators will be going to India during January break,’ Campbell said.
The reason India is currently the focus of talks is because of its growing importance in world economics and affairs.
Halfond said in an email that this will further BU’s role as a ‘global university,’ which already sends almost half of the undergraduate population abroad.
‘ ‘India is becoming one of the most important countries economically, politically and culturally and we hope we can benefit students and faculty by having ties there,’ he said.
BU is also hoping to expand into other regions of the globe and is always ‘open to possibilities,’ he said.
‘The Division of International Programs continues to develop new sites for undergraduate study abroad, in particular,’ Halfond said. ‘Building a campus and offering degrees, though, is a monumental undertaking and should be attempted very cautiously.’
DeWinter said he is particularly interested in the expansion of some of BU’s already existing programs, particularly the one in Shanghai, China.
‘ ‘We are now in a good position to offer both academic programs as well as internships,’ DeWinter said.’ ‘Shanghai is a very important city, not only in China, but in the world, and we want to provide access to our students.’
College of Communication junior Anil Daibee, who is a member of the BU Indian Club, said she thinks opening a campus in India would be a beneficial addition to the BU community.
‘India is a country with a lot of potential whose economy is exploding right now, and any investment made over there is a good idea,’ he said.’ ‘In this day and age the east and west are constantly mixing cultures and philosophies, and it would be poor judgment not to take part in that.’
He also said he thinks the campus would provide a good opportunity for students looking to study abroad.
‘Indian students represented that largest portion of international students last year, so a campus in India would be sure to be filled,’ he said. ‘I would definitely study abroad there for a chance to experience my culture firsthand while pursuing my education.’