1. The Ontario Maharashtra Goa Student Exchange Program Dr. Lalu Mansinha Academic Director, OMG And Adjunct Research Professor of Geophysics University of Western Ontario, London, Canada Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 1

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3. The Ontario Maharashtra Goa Student Exchange Program A two way exchange of undergraduate and graduate students between the universities of the Province of Ontario and a select group of colleges and universities in Maharashtra State and Goa in India. The OMG Program is open to all disciplines at all degree levels. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 3

4. What is a Exchange Program? A student is allowed by his/her Home university to take courses or conduct research at a Host university that will satisfy the requirements for his/her degree at the Home university. For example, an OMG exchange student completes Year I and Year II of Mechanical Engineering at Queens University, Kingston. She then studies as a OMG exchange student in Year III of Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering, Pune University. She returns to Queens Univ. and complete Year IV, and graduate. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 4

5. OCAV - Ontario Council of Academic Vice- presidents OCAV represents the 18 universities of Ontario and is the parent body of ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES INTERNATIONAL (OUI) OUI runs four student exchange programs: OBW – Ontario Baden Württemberg Germany OJS - Ontario Jiangsu China OMG - Ontario Maharashtra Goa India ORA - Ontario Rhône-Alpes France Funding for OMG and all the exchange programs is from the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, and from the member universities. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 5

6. The OMG is an initiative for the “development of postsecondary educational linkages between Ontario and Maharashtra and Goa with the aim of promoting, through institutional cooperation, “development of postsecondary educational linkages between Ontario and Maharashtra and Goa with the aim of promoting, through institutional cooperation, the reciprocal flow of knowledge”. the reciprocal flow of knowledge”. The agreement was officially signed on May 8, 2007 between the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) and Ontario Council of Academic Vicepresidents (OCAV). 6

7. Growth of the OMG Student Xchange Maharashtra Goa to Ontario Ontario to Maharashtra- Goa 2007-0800 2008-0997 2009-102019 2010-1140 25 with stipend plus 15 without stipend 35 25 with stipend plus 10 without stipend Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 7

8. The OMG Student Benefits OMG Program awards 25 stipends each way 1. A bursary of $2000 (if going for one term) or $2500 (if going for two or more terms). 2. Foreign Student Tuition fee is waived. The awards are given to both students from Ontario and from Maharashtra and Goa. All other costs, including living expenses is the responsibility of the student. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 8

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11. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 Higher Education in Maharashtra To provide the educated and skilled workforce, there is a huge education establishment in Maharashtra. To provide the educated and skilled workforce, there is a huge education establishment in Maharashtra. Maharashtra is home to 38 universities, many of which are recognized internationally. Maharashtra is home to 38 universities, many of which are recognized internationally. The number of universities does not tell the whole story. For example, the University of Pune, with 400,000 students, oversees 28 medical colleges, 40 engineering colleges, 47 management colleges and 172 other colleges. The number of universities does not tell the whole story. For example, the University of Pune, with 400,000 students, oversees 28 medical colleges, 40 engineering colleges, 47 management colleges and 172 other colleges. 11

12. Pune, Oxford of the East Pune calls itself ‘Oxford of the East’, as home to 9 universities and 100 higher educational institutions. There are some 200,000 students in Pune. There are some 200,000 students in Pune. Pune University has 4000 foreign students from just about every country. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 12

13. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 OMG Universities in Maharashtra and Goa SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai (SNDT=Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey) (SNDT=Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey) Jai Hind College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) Jai Hind College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) St. Xavier College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) St. Xavier College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) Ramnarayan Ruia College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) Ramnarayan Ruia College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) H.R. College, College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) H.R. College, College, Mumbai (Mumbai Univ) University of Pune, Pune University of Pune, Pune Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune Shivaji University, Kohlapur Shivaji University, Kohlapur Goa University Goa University Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Goa Campus Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Goa Campus 13

14. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 14 Birla Institute of Science and Technology (BITS), Goa

15. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 15 The old (British) Governor’s Mansion. A Heritage Building. Pune University

16. In 2007 when OMG started: Canada and Ontario universities were unknown Concept of ‘student exchange’ or ‘student mobility was unknown at most Indian universities. A student is given no credit for courses taken at another college or university, in India or abroad Most Indian universities do not allow the students to mix and match courses according to their own interest. The courses are prescribed. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 16

17. In 2010, after three years of OMG: Returning OMG students are spreading the word and OMG has hundreds of applicants for Ontario universities every year. Pune University is now seriously considering allowing credit for courses taken elsewhere. It is just a matter of time that all Maharashtra universities will follow. There is a continuing request to extend the student exchange to faculty exchange and research collaboration. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 17

18. Challenges OMG is the first organisation to push towards the student exchange concept in Maharashtra and Goa. We are having some success. In 2009 we now have exchange students from Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Pune, taking courses at several Ontario universities. These courses will count towards the degree at VIT. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 18

19. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 Challenges 1.Mismatch of term start and stop times 2. Evaluation of student performance 3. Matching of academic standards 4. Living Costs for students from Maharashtra and Goa in Canada 19

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22. Ananth Rangarajan, VIT, Pune to Univ. of Windsor The University of Windsor considered me worthy enough and gave me funding to attend this conference including airfare from Mumbai and accommodation. My conference in Dhaka was very successful and for both my papers I got a response of 250+ viewers; I was the youngest delegate at that conference and had a lifetime opportunity to interact with the delegates who had come from more than 40 countries and more importantly with the students Bangladesh’s top most ranked Engineering institute which was host to the conference. Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010

23. From Aamer Trambu, OMG Exchange Student from Mumbai “Student exchanges are not about education, they are an investment in change, an investment in long term, international and long lasting change. Students are here to... share a moment, a handshake, a hug, to let the world know that we are the agents of change and we are here not for the education but to create and usher in a new revolution.” Synergy IV Sep 23, 2010 23

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