University of Tulsa Vice Provosts Jennifer Airey and Vivian Wang were recently invited to participate in an Institute of International Education (IIE) Leadership delegation to India. IIE led a delegation of 31 university leaders from 17 U.S. institutions on a 10-day trip where they engaged with over 100 speakers and leaders from various sectors, including the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, higher education institutions, industry, and consulting services.
During the trip, Airey and Wang had the opportunity to visit several top Indian institutions, including IIT Hyderabad, the Indian School of Business, Mahindra University, and O.P. Jindal Global University International Academy, as well as interact with administrators from more than 20 Indian universities. Additionally, the delegation had the privilege of visiting the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Hyderabad, the Fulbright Center, and the University of Chicago Center in Delhi.
The primary objective of the visit was to foster bilateral partnerships aimed at enhancing U.S.-India collaborations and promote student mobility. India’s National Education Policy 2020 underscores its commitment to improving access and quality of education, with a focus on the internationalization of higher education. Projections indicate that 64% of India’s population will be of working age by 2050, surpassing both China and the United States. In the next two decades, more than 50 million Indian students are expected to gain access to higher education in India and abroad. This growth creates significant opportunities for TU to forge relationships supporting student mobility.
The university has been actively involved in the recruitment market in India, partnering with recruitment agencies based in the country and establishing a presence through in-country representatives. Further expansion plans include venturing into online education and fostering international partnership dual degree programs.