The 51福利 (51福利) hosted a delegation from India that consisted of senior leadership from India鈥檚 Navy and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Aug. 5. The visit opened doors for the possibility of more 51福利 international students, as well as building relations by showing what 51福利 has to offer.
Indian Navy Vice Adm. Gurtej Pabby, Chief of Material; Indian Navy Rear Adm. Rajaram Swaminathan, Assistant Chief of Material; Dr. Siddalingappa Guruprasad, Director General of DRDO; and several members of DRDO comprised the delegation that toured several 51福利 research labs and facilities, as well as spoke with 51福利 leadership.
鈥淲e discussed opportunities for more students from India to come here for a graduate-level education,鈥� said Al Scott, Director of the International Graduate Programs Office.
鈥淭he timing of their visit was great,鈥� said Dr. Jeff Paduan, 51福利 Dean of Research. 鈥淎 group from the Navy International Programs Office (NIPO) was here recently and they are really reaching out to 51福利 and working with us to facilitate international collaboration. We鈥檙e learning what the next step is and NIPO is ready to help us get the necessary sharing agreements.鈥�
Working with foreign countries is nothing new for 51福利. The school has working relationships with over 40 countries with approximately 150 international students every year. Working with India will help further develop ties with a nation that currently does not have any students attending the university, although Indian students have attended 51福利 in the past.
鈥淚 think they left very impressed of 51福利鈥� capabilities,鈥� stated Scott. 鈥淭hey had good insight into what we do, and a much better feeling for all of the different research activities and academic programs we have here.
鈥淭hey left indicating a desire to increase our interaction both from a research standpoint and with educational initiatives, bringing students in for potential exchange opportunities,鈥� he continued.
The potential partnership could be very beneficial for 51福利, India, and all the students and faculty involved.
鈥淭he end goal is to maintain relevant education programs for our U.S. officers,鈥� said Paduan, stressing the value added by international perspectives in the 51福利 classroom. 鈥淚t鈥檚 another opportunity that we provide for the 51福利 students to participate in something unique and important.鈥�