Lancaster University has recently celebrated the growing strength and success of one of its international-outreach graduate programmes.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Delhi was the location of the inaugural graduation ceremony, held on February 8th, for the participants in the collaboration between Lancaster University and the GD Goenka World Institute, India.
Presiding over the 131 graduates was Lancaster’s Chancellor, the mountaineer Sir Christian Bonington, while Mr Shekhar Gupta, editor-in-chief of The Indian Express, attended the ceremony as a chief guest. 111 students collected a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, whilst a further 20 graduated with an MSc Management and Law, MSc Management or MSc Management and Marketing.
Currently, a total of 556 students study for a Lancaster degree at GDGWI in Gurgaon as part of the interdependent learning initiative between the two campuses. The scheme has also given students in India the chance to complete their studies here at Lancaster; 17 students are currently undertaking this exchange opportunity whilst in their final years of study.
The Chairman of the G D Goenka Group, Mr A.K. Goenka, expressed his pride in being a partner in the collaboration with Lancaster University, and spoke of his hopes for its impact on the future of Indian education: “The period since the partnership has been one of growth and enrichment for students who come to GDGWI from all over the country pursuing business studies. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to a long lasting relationship to transform higher education in India.”
Mr Goenka explained the “industry-relevant focus” of the undergraduate and postgraduate degree schemes offered by the GDGWI-Lancaster University partnership, which places great emphasis on employability by networking with companies through its Corporate Resource Centre. Personal development programmes, workshops and campus interviews are also facilitated for students, in association with some of the leading HR professionals in India.
Professor Steve Bradley, Pro Vice-Chancellor International, said: “It was a wonderful day and I was delighted to be there to celebrate in the success of our graduates and to hear about some of the careers that their degree has helped them achieve.”
He stated that the partnership with the Goenka Group continues to expand, as the group also hopes to achieve university status in the near future. More programmes in Business and Management are set to be introduced, which will supplement the three new Engineering programmes that have already been implemented.
Regarding Lancaster’s role in oversees education provision, Professor Bradley emphasised the University’s commitment to simultaneously maintaining the standard of education and cultural diversity at the Bailrigg campus. This can be achieved through welcoming international students to study here in England, and working in international collaborative partnerships in order to “take the Lancaster experience to other countries, and with our partners to deliver high quality teaching to students who benefit from studying in their own country.” Bradley added, “By so doing Lancaster will increase its global reach and reputation.”
