India Higher Education Administrators Seminar, March 25, 2009
Today we flew back to Delhi via Kingfisher Airlines. Once we arrived in Delhi, we freshened up and then made our way to a reception held at FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry). FICCI is interested in higher education issues that address the education gap between post secondary education and industry. In particular, FICCI aims to promote best practices in education in India and abroad, facilitate industry-academia linkages, provide a network platform, and recommend policy reforms to government. For more information, see www.ficci-hen.com. FICCI-HEN holds a summit every November and brings higher education leaders together to discuss education issues relevant to national (and international) forefront. This conference provides a great venue for US institutions of higher education to make connections to Indian institutions of higher education. FICCI is very keen to facilitate such interactions. After a general introduction to FICCI, the floor was open to discussion for FICCI representatives, members of their higher education network, and us. It was a lively discussion and we all felt that it is important for Indian and US institutions of higher education to interact to “promote peace and understanding.”
After the reception we went to a wonderful Tandoori restaurant that Indira Ghandi frequented. We also celebrated Funke’s birthday today!
Jeanne and her tandoori chicken dinner!
We have an early day tomorrow because we are off to Agra and the Taj Mahal.