5/9/2003

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU READIES EXCHANGE AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY IN INDIAEXPANDING STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY

           SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The signing of a new faculty/student exchange agreement between Slippery Rock University and Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University in Udaipur, India, will provide new and additional study abroad opportunities.

          A formal agreement signing ceremony is set for May 23 on the SRU campus. The ceremony will include Rajasthan University Chancellor Bhawani Shanker Garg and SRU Interim President Robert Smith. The first exchange participants are expected to undertake classes next January.

          SRU’s signature international initiatives program currently has more than two dozen similar exchange agreements allowing students to undertake a semester or entire year of study at an international university. Faculty are permitted to teach at participating exchange universities and are brought to the SRU campus, particularly in the modern languages area. The agreements involve universities in China, Korea, Japan, England, Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia and others.

MEETING STUDENT NEEDS

           In detailing the new agreement, Dr. Donald Kerchis, director of SRU’s Office of International Initiatives, said, “This is another way Slippery Rock University students can become involved in international studies. Students from a variety of majors will be able to undertake studies at Rajasthan University and have their course credits accepted by SRU. We are continually establishing exchange programs that will meet our students’ needs, while providing them with rock solid, study-abroad experiences. I think our students will quickly see the advantage of studying in India. The program will also allow students from Rajasthan University to study at SRU continuing to enhance the cultural diversity of our campus.”

          Garg will visit SRU as part of his three-week U.S. tour. On campus, he will meet with faculty, students, SRU’s deans, President Smith and Interim Provost William Williams to finalize exchange details. He will also tour the region, including meeting with members of the Indian communities in western Pennsylvania.

           In the planning by SRU’s Dr. Kundan Bhatia, professor of sociology, anthropology and social work, retired philosophy Professor Dr. Theodore L. Kneupper and members of SRU’s Asian Studies Program since 1999, the exchange can involve nearly every course offered at either of the two universities. It is expected to first focus on classes in education, social work, business, marketing, geology or physical therapy.

Rajasthan University is located in Udaipur, India, some 90-minutes from New Delhi. 

EDITOR’S NOTE:The ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. in the University Club of North Hall followed by an invitation dinner. Those interested in covering the ceremony are asked to call 724-738-2199.