SDSU Makes Inroads Into India
A novel partnership links wide-ranging educational programs.
San Diego State University is teaming with one of the most respected educational institutions in India to establish a wide-ranging educational partnership.
SDSU will collaborate with PSG Institutions in Coimbatore, India, on programs in engineering, nursing, women’s studies, arts and sciences. India is considered one of the largest emerging markets worldwide, with more than one billion people.
“This is one of the most extensive partnerships PSG has ever established,” said G. Rangaswamy, PSG managing trustee.
Rangaswamy and a coalition of PSG colleagues visited SDSU last month to meet with their local counterparts and discuss the opportunities for collaboration among both institutions.
“There will be very broad interactions between SDSU and PSG including classes, graduate research and exchange programs for students and faculty,” said Al Sweedler, assistant vice president, Office of International Programs.
SDSU students studying in India this summer
The first program takes place this summer when SDSU students participate in the historical and cultural India Summer Program. Students left for Coimbatore, India, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu on May 31 with SDSU’s Murugappa “Madhu” Madhavan, professor emeritus of economics and Asian studies.
During the nearly one-month stay, 10 SDSU students will stay at the PSG Guest House for two weeks of lectures before embarking on a tour of India. They’ll visit Bangalore, Chennai, Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry and several other cities touring of some of India’s most iconic landmarks.
Students from the SDSU School of Nursing will also travel to India this summer to study in PSG’s College of Nursing. The course will focus is on rural health, tropical disease, traditional Indian medicine and comparing and contrasting health issues.
The partnership will not only benefit SDSU students, but PSG students as well. For example, Janet Blenner, who is leading the School of Nursing trip, will teach research methods to PSG faculty and students.
About PSG Institutions
PSG’s main goal is to increase the college-going rate of Indian citizens. According to Rangaswamy, only 11 percent of India’s college-aged population is pursuing higher education.
“The average age in India is 25, so they are craving education and training,” Rangaswamy said.
The PSG & Sons' Charities Trust is one of oldest charitable organizations dedicated towards empowerment and social change through liberal arts, science and technical education in India. The educational institutions of the trust are well-known for their academic excellence, providing educational programs from kindergarten to doctoral levels.
