King’s College London has opened its first international Summer School in Delhi, following the successful launch of the university’s India 2013 programme in Mumbai earlier this year.

Classes are being held at Miranda House College – one of the most prestigious colleges of the University of Delhi and renowned for degrees in science and liberal arts. Courses will cover international relations, international political economy and e-business. King’s is working with local partner Think Education to deliver the programme of courses.

The Delhi Summer School builds on King’s extensive connections in India’s capital – the university has strong academic ties with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and a thriving alumni branch of nearly 250 professionals working in law, medicine, management, social sciences and education. King’s India Institute – one of the leading international centres for global engagement with contemporary India – now has an academic based in Delhi whose research focuses on the international politics of South Asia and Indian defence and security policy.

Scholarships will be available on each course of the Delhi Summer School for the best and brightest students to study at King’s College London Summer School in July and August. In addition to this, King’s will offer a scholarship for a member of staff from the host college to visit London and interact with King’s staff working on summer programmes.

Tayyeb Shah, Director of International Strategy at King’s College London, said: ‘This is a great day for King’s as we celebrate the opening of our first Summer School in Delhi.

‘Like the popular original London programme, students can expect innovative, interactive teaching methods, faculty who are motivated by their enthusiasm for their subjects, teaching informed by cutting edge research and an opportunity to reflect on how to prepare for their future. A Summer School is a fantastic way to enrich your portfolio of skills and to get a head start in today’s globalised and fast-moving world. We are grateful to Miranda House College for hosting our courses and for the hard work that they have put in to make this happen.

‘We have been delighted with the success of our tailor-made India programmes this year and the positive reaction from all our students. We hope to build on this success as we look to increase the range and scope of King’s activities and partnerships in India.’

Dr Diana Bozhilova, who is teaching the international relations course, said: ‘India is one of the most fitting places in the world to teach international relations – a topic which deals with issues directly relevant to the present day.  India, being the world’s largest democracy, is a country where the study of international relations can bring empowerment to the state through the integration of its young people in the system of global governance.’

Michael Bedward, lecturer on the e-business course, said:  ‘This course brings King’s innovative teaching methods to Indian undergraduate students and exposes them to a highly interactive, student-centred learning experience. It will help undergraduates develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with starting and running an e-business in India, where currently 100 million people surf the web and the Indian e-commerce market has been attracting many international companies.’

Ria Lulla, a student who completed a course at King’s Mumbai Summer School earlier this year, said: ‘I wanted to learn more about international political economy – it is a new subject with a different, wider approach than traditional economics. I really enjoyed the seminars and the class debate on Mumbai as a future global financial centre – it was a very lively class where we all had the opportunity to participate.’

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar