Venkat Raman –
Venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Students enrolled at St Joseph’s College in Bangalore, India, will have the opportunity of completing their graduate degree course at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) based in South Auckland in terms of an agreement signed between the two institutions in Bangalore.
The Agreement, signed in Bangalore by John Wadsworth, Dean at the MIT Faculty of Business and IT and St Joseph’s College Principal Dr Father Victor Lobo on February 27, 2016 creates a new international education pathway for Indian students.
They will enjoy the facility of commencing their education in Bangalore and completing it in New Zealand.
It would be a double benefit for ‘Josephites’ since St Joseph’s College in Bangalore has an impressive history of providing quality teaching and learning, spanning more than 130 years. The agreement would spell joyful memories in former Josephites (like this reporter) resident in New Zealand.
As one of the oldest educational institutions in Karnataka, St Joseph’s College (which offer an extensive range of Arts, Science and Commerce degree courses) has the status of ‘autonomy,’ which is a testimony for its integrity and quality.
Quality development
The Agreement, the credit for which also belongs to Indian Newslink Community Fund Chairman and life-long friend Wenceslaus Anthony, can be billed as an exciting and quality development in an extremely crowded export education marketplace, which has of late allowed impeachable players.
He was present at the signing ceremony along with Prince Kumar who works with educational institutions in both countries to ease the flow of genuine students.
Mr Wadsworth (who was involved with the first Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards held at Stamford Plaza Auckland on November 19, 2008 as Director, Waitakere Enterprise) said that the MIT-St Joseph’s Agreement was ‘only one of two pathways of its kind between New Zealand and India.’
“The pathway provides students with an opportunity to gain an internationally recognised New Zealand degree. A key feature of the degree is the opportunity to gain hands on, practical experience through one-semester internship project in industry. This is a core part of MIT’s curriculum, giving students a huge advantage for future employability in both New Zealand and India,” he said.
Mr Wadsworth said that the Agreement would reduce the cost of attaining a Bachelor’s degree in New Zealand by about 50%.
“This is a huge advantage and opens up the possibility of international education to many students who previously may not be able to afford it,” he said.
Reputed Jesuit College
Mr Anthony said that both institutions share inimitable qualities, values and approach towards global education, with more than 150 years of collective experience of providing quality teaching and learning.
“St Joseph’s College is a highly reputed and recognised education provider. Established in 1885, the institution is owned by Jesuits, who are renowned for high quality higher education. The College provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in Science, Social Science, Commerce and Languages.
“In 2004, the institution was declared as ‘A College of Potential Excellence’ by the University Grants Commission of the Federal government and declared as an autonomous college by the Karnataka Government in 2005. The college was re-accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council with ‘A’ securing 3.73 out of 4 GPA in March, 2012 which is one of the highest in India,” he said.
Prestigious MIT
Mr Kumar described MIT as ‘one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious Institutes of Technology.
“MIT has 16,000 students enrolled per annum with over 1000 international students studying Business, Information Technology, Engineering, Maritime and Culinary Programmes,” he said.
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Photo Caption:
John Wadsworth and Dr Father Victor Lobo with Wenceslaus Anthony (left) and Prince Kumar (right) at St Joseph’s College, Bangalore on February 27.
