We Have A Long-Term Commitment To India: University Of Chicago's Ian Solomon

After a three-year dip, a report released in 2015 revealed that Indians were enrolling themselves in American Universities faster than ever. The study released by the Institute of International Education and the US Department of State revealed that numbers were up by 29.4 per cent.

After the Chinese, Indians are the largest number of foreign students populating campuses in the United States, making it no surprise that the likes of the University of Chicago would take a keen interest.

Ian Solomon, VP-Global Engagement at the University of Chicago, says it's not just limited to that. What they seem to be looking at is a two-way relationship, complete with its students coming down for research and semesters abroad, faculty exchanges and partnerships with leading Indian universities like JNU, Ashoka University and Manipal University.

Solomon, who formerly served as US Executive Director of the World Bank group, now serves as a global ambassador of sorts, working to make the University of Chicago more active in other countries.

He told BW|Businessworld that there are five parts to what they are trying to do - People, to be reflective of global diversity, Programs and Scholarships, with research in 45 countries, Partnerships with Academic Institutions and Presence via a physical centre like the one in Delhi's Karol Bagh.

"Indians are the fastest growing demographic on our campus," said Solomon, adding that the university had a long-term commitment to the country.

In its centre in Karol Bagh, University of Chicago hosts its own students, faculty and research team as well as potential students, and conducts talks and seminars.

A presence like this is essential, according to Solomon, who says that he believes that the challenges and changes education is facing today are global in nature something that institutions all over the world together need to look into.

"We need to look at creating new ways to create accessibility, education and the effect and incorporation of technology. We need to think broadly- which students are accessing education and realise that while talent may be universal, accessibility is not. Careers and skill sets required are changing today and an older demographic is also becoming a contender for higher education because of this," he said.