Matt VanderZalm, International Engagement, Communications, and Protocol

With a population of over one billion people and growing, the world’s largest democracy is a country of largely untapped potential.

That is a big reason why the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign continues to seek ways to enhance an already strong relationship with India through its India Initiative. In its efforts to become an increasingly global university, Illinois leaders consider India to be a very important country in the world, according to Dr. William Brustein, Associate Provost for International Affairs.

“In terms of its role in the world’s economy, and from the perspective of a very rich and deep history, there’s no question about [India’s global importance],” Brustein said. “Illinois has a long history with India.”

Brustein said he considers the University’s role in setting up India’s first Institute of Technology, as well as the agricultural school at Pandnagar, as examples of already-solid collaboration with the subcontinent. He also cited a symposium, “India Sixty: The Critical Questions,” held in November 2007 at Illinois, as clear evidence the collaboration between the two entities continues to get stronger.

“I was thrilled to see India Sixty,” he said. “It showcased our strength across the entire University that we have with regard to India, including technical fields, scientific fields, and the arts.”

Organizers of the symposium brought experts in their respective fields to campus to discuss issues facing a country with a growing economy and population. Among them was the Honorable Ashok K. Attri, Consul General of India. He called the possibilities in India’s future “endless,” but the road is unclear.

“As Yogi Berra said, ‘It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future,’” Attri said. “We must abolish mass poverty and continue to grow at least 8-10 percent [annually] through 2020.”

Illinois Provost Linda Katehi has urged the University to establish a strategy of engagement with India, including events like the India Sixty symposium. She said “strengthening the Illinois-India relationship is more important than ever before.”

“As a major world economy, there are significant opportunities for Illinois to partner and innovate with India, particularly in areas of pressing societal concern, such as technology and energy," Katehi said.

Brustein agreed, adding that the Indian alumni base is very strong in the Chicagoland area and would like to see their alma mater do much more. “India Sixty really kicked things into a higher gear,” Brustein said.

To draw from the expertise of a wide range of campus entities, Brustein has established an India task force, which held its first meeting in December 2007. He said he has asked the committee to think about what the university’s priorities should be with India, after which a report will be forwarded to the Provost. Ultimately, Brustein would like Illinois’ engagement with India to rival that of its involvement with its Asian neighbor, China.

“We do so much in China. There is no reason we shouldn’t be doing more in India,” Brustein said. “I foresee a high-level travel mission in the near future, and perhaps a high-profile visit that will certainly speak to this university’s engagement in India.”

Brustein thinks the hard work Illinois has put into its relationship with India could eventually lead to formal recognition from the Department of Education (DOE). DOE helps fund area studies centers at institutions around the country under Title VI, of which there are currently eight at Illinois.

“I think we could be building toward a South Asia Title VI center, which would be our ninth,” Brustein said. “That would put us in the position of being number one in the country.”

The associate provost said the University should also consider the possibility of collaborating with other U.S. universities to share resources. Such collaborations would only include institutions with similar interests in south Asia, he said. One such possibility is partnering on study abroad trips.

“I would like to see us do more with respect to study abroad,” Brustein said. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could design a study abroad program where we take our students to India and to China?”

Brustein referenced a presentation during India Sixty by Dr. Jagdish Sheth, a former Illinois professor and currently the Charles H. Kellstadt Chair of Marketing at Emory University, in which Sheth focused on the dichotomy of the Indian and Chinese economic models.

“People all around the world are looking at these two models: India from a democratic structure, China from a more state-constructed approach,” Brustein said. “If we add this multi-cultural, thematically driven component, it will open doors to students in newer disciplines that haven’t traditionally [been available], particularly students in business and social sciences.”