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Updated on: Saturday, January 28, 2012

Jeffrey Reneau is the public affairs officer and director, American Center Kolkata. Reneau studied International Education and Policy Administration at Harvard University and graduated with a Bachelors degree in International Relations from Georgetown University. Prior to starting his tenure in India in October 2011, he was part of the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN), where he served as the special advisor to the US representative for UN management and reform. At an interactive session on Strategic collaboration between US and India in Higher Education organised by the US Consulate General at the American Center, Kolkata, Reneau spoke about key issues pertaining to Indo-US academic cooperation.

Q: What are the key areas which would benefit from US-India collaboration in higher education?

The key areas are people based, an increase in student and faculty exchange occurring both ways with US scholars coming to India and vice versa. With higher education being one of the pillars of US engagement with India, we need to work with the people of education who will help build a stronger bilateral relationship. As the world changes, the questions of the future will not be borders or policies but issues such as food security, water resources, land availability and sustainability which will demand our attention. In West Bengal, the target areas would be information technology and agriculture when it comes to collaboration.

Q: Can such collaborations bring about a renaissance in the research scene in India?

When you link this to the US-India Higher Education Summit, it becomes evident that not just research but the whole education scenario can be stimulated by jointly addressing such issues.

Research automatically becomes part of the equation as an integral part of educational exchange. The Fulbright scholarship and the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative are instances of research as a fundamental aspect of our collaboration.

Q: What are the drawbacks of the Indian higher education system and any remedies to tackle them?

I think a shortage of access to opportunities is common in any country with a large population. Kolkata alone has such a huge population but it is a young and vibrant populace who can suffer due to a lack of opportunities. Access to education and further opportunities are critical elements that the US and India can explore together. Indias own institutions need to determine the best way forward and identify areas where they can improve.

Q: Faculty shortage is a global problem. Can Indo-US collaboration lead to greater exchange of faculty?

Yes, it will open up opportunities for US scholars to come here and for Indian ones to go there. It does not necessarily mean an increase in numbers but there will be an increase in the exchange of scholars. We can bring scholars who will participate in Indian academics and vice versa. They will be able to fill the gaps and facilitate increased faculty participation. Indians are already teaching abroad, for example, Professor Sugata Bose who is at Harvard University.

Q: Considering the grim economic situation, is the future bright for Indo-US collaborative projects?

Unquestionably yes. The foundation of education is based on questions and challenges and people learning how to overcome them. There has been resurgence in education due to the economic slowdown thus opening up opportunities for exchange. We have a world economy now and by forging international partnerships, we can pull each other up to a better place.

Times of India

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