CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR FACULTY STUDY TOUR TO UK – MARCH 2020

Higher Education Faculty Visit to the United Kingdom

British Council India wishes to bring a group of 30 higher education faculty members from the state of Arunachal Pradesh (India) to the UK in the month of March in 2020 for five days. The objective of this tour is capacity development and to introduce the faculty delegation to international education at UK and give them a real classroom experience for five days. The visit will also allow them to explore new teaching methodology, research & innovation hubs, centres for excellence, different courses available, UK application procedures and become acquainted with international culture and community through study experience, discussions, workshops held in UK higher education institutions.

As part of this study tour, the UK institution hosting the HE faculty delegation will be required to deliver a five day study programme focusing on teaching methodology & innovation in higher education or leadership development with real world application.

Mission objective and ROI

Visit objective

1. to develop capacity of 30 faculty members from higher education sector of Arunachal Pradesh in the areas of teaching methodology and innovation in HE or leadership development
2. explore new teaching methodology, research and innovation hubs, centres for excellence, knowledge of different courses available in UK and the host university
3. become acquainted with the UK’s international education culture and community through classroom experience, discussions and workshops
4. engage in discussions and meetings with faculty/administrative staff of the UK university to explore future collaboration in the areas of student mobility, research opportunities, faculty exchange in areas of mutual interest
5. visit other higher education institution in the UK to absorb and learn through interactive sessions/workshops, discussions or classroom sessions on leadership skills, social entrepreneurship, management skills or communication skills

Benefits for the host institution

1. An opportunity for the host institution to showcase the best of their facilities and academic culture to a visiting group of international faculties directly through face-to-face engagement
2. Participating institution can use this opportunity to network and understand the partnership and student mobility opportunity of Arunachal Pradesh and India in general. This will support in finding common ground of interest in areas of research collaborations, consultancy and faculty exchange programme with the support of government.
3. Enhance understanding of the current academic, economic and security situation of the state and the northeastern region of India in general which consist of 8 states. 
4. Orient the faculty on the courses and research links available and application process which can be cascaded to students.  
5. Provide a learning opportunity through a short certification course/training to a group of key influencers from India 
6. As the visiting faculty will be accompanied with the senior staff members from Department of Education, parallel meetings with the representatives from External/International Relations Department of host institution could be arranged for possible collaborations and partnerships (no partnership fee involved)

Event details and format

Dates of the programme: A week in the end of February 2020 or beginning of March 2020

Delegation composition: 28 faculty members, two senior officials from higher and technical education institutions from the state of Arunachal Pradesh

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME FROM BRITISH COUNCIL*

A sample day at the host institute

*For the programme, recommendations from host institution can be accommodated.

Delegation profile

1. Undergraduate and postgraduate faculty members: keen on exploring and learning and teaching methodology and leadership development. We plan to have equal representations of male and female faculty members
2. Faculty members with a sound academic record, good communication and presentation skills in English language

In your expression of interest/proposal please indicate the following:

1. Initial draft for five day study programme while considering the trip’s objectives mentioned above. Please mention costs if any.
2. It should indicate if hostel accommodation on double occupancy can be provided in-campus or off-campus. If accommodation is not available, the British Council will take responsibility for accommodation of the visiting faculty members.
3. Possible meetings between the faculty/administrative staff from visiting university and representatives from other departments of the host institution and external stakeholders to explore future collaboration or partnership.
4. Confirmation of provision of lunch/networking lunch (Halal/vegetarian dietary requirement) with possible invitation to colleagues to join from External/International Relations department of host institution

Selection process

1. British Council will select the host institution based on the strength of the proposed programme and budget in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh government
2. Please submit your interest to host the delegation along with a framework of study-programme by 30 November 2019
3. The expression of interest/proposal from the host institution should be shared on the official letterhead with details of contact person in PDF format.

ABOUT ARUNCHAL PRADESH

Arunachal Pradesh is one of the 28 states of India and is in the northeastern region of the country. Arunachal Pradesh borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south and shares international borders with Bhutan in the west, Myanmar in the east and is separated from China in the north by the McMahon Line.

Currently the state has 55 higher education institutions of which 3 are central government institutions. The state education department had launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at providing strategic funding to eligible higher education institutions in the state. The funding to the state was made based on critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans, which describes each strategy to address issues of equity, access, quality and excellence in higher education.

The higher and technical education sector in the state has seen an increase of approx. 23% budgetary allocation of INR 97 crore (GBP 10.5 m) in 2015-16 compared to INR 77 crore (GBP 8.5 m) in 2014-15. The state aims to increase the allocations to 3% of state GDP in next few years.