FLAME University partners with York University, Canada to expand its international collaborations portfolio in the space of liberal education
Mumba: FLAME University, the pioneer of liberal education in India has announced a strategic tie-up with the third largest University of Canada – York University. York’s Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS) of York University is the largest liberal arts Faculty in the country. With this partnership with York University, FLAME University has expanded its international collaborations portfolio in the space of liberal education. FLAME University provides students with tremendous depth of international education, exposure to liberal arts at a global scale, interface with world renowned colleges and their faculty, collaborative programs and high-quality research work. FLAME University assumes thought-leadership in the liberal education space in India through these international collaborations.
The joint association of the two universities will be focused on student exchange, joint programs, research and curriculum development. Ten of FLAME University students have already spent a semester at York University and students from York University are expected to participate in FLAME University’s Discover India Program beginning July 2018.
Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Devi Singh, Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University, said, “We are privileged to announce our association with York University, one of the most prestigious liberal arts universities in the world. FLAME University has taken this step in its endeavour to constantly redefine education through its integrated interdisciplinary approach in developing students to be future global leaders. It showcases our commitment to enhance the liberal arts culture at FLAME University through these exchange programs. We constantly strive to improve the quality of our education offerings by tying up with the best in the world. It’s a tremendous value-added opportunity for our students.”
FLAME University is committed to enhancing the educational experience of students by encouraging and providing them with opportunities to operate in multilingual and multicultural settings at an international level. This exposure adds value to the students by diversifying their learning experience; enhances their employability by having demonstrable experience of living and learning in a culture which is different from their own. Apart from York University, FLAME University has strategic relationships with renowned institutes like Wellesley College, Yale University, Nuffield College – University of Oxford, Babson Collaborative, Kelley School of Business – Indiana University Bloomington, etc.
Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Professor of Political Science at York University while commenting on the collaboration with FLAME University said, “I am delighted with the collaboration with FLAME University. Through its pioneering role in advancing liberal education in India, FLAME is fostering a distinctive generation of young citizens. In my interactions with FLAME’s students, I was inspired by their commitment to innovate, to defy boundaries and to have an impact on society. I commend FLAME’s faculty and its leadership in making this possible. FLAME’s world-class campus is not only stunningly beautiful but reflects the ethos of an education that values community and breadth of thought. I am keen to send our students to FLAME. FLAME’s Discover India Program will give York students direct experience of fieldwork and research under the supervision of FLAME faculty.
Our partnership comes at a time when there is a global recognition of the value of liberal education. In part, it comes from the success stories of graduates and the kind of creativity they can offer. Most importantly, we all recognize the need to strengthen our democracies everywhere and develop a deeper understanding of our fellow citizens. Liberal education is essential for this. I feel very hopeful that through our partnership, we can assume global thought-leadership in liberal education for the 21st century.”
Dean Mukherjee–Reed further added, “I also had the opportunity to have very fruitful interactions with students, guidance counsellors and parents of several high schools in Mumbai. The students I met were extremely bright and ambitious. Canadian universities and governments (federal and provincial) place high priority on international education partnerships. Education provides an important bridge between countries and its people, especially the youth. This is extremely important for developing collaborative thinking and knowledge on global issues requiring broad-based thinking, which is the hallmark of a liberal, interdisciplinary approach. While we are delighted to have started off the FLAME-York exchange with students, there is much we can do to realize the broader goals of international exchange by involving other stakeholders.”
Liberal education in the 21st century is necessary for success in a global economy, for social harmony and active citizenship. It is no longer limited to a few subjects, but to a whole new way of learning which defies boundaries to create holistic understanding. India has a unique advantage to assume leadership in defining an inclusive and innovative liberal arts education experience for the 21st century. Through this tie-up, FLAME University strives to augment its focus on liberal education and give opportunities to its students to attend and its faculty to jointly develop projects with York University. They can also learn from the best practices of York’s highly reputed liberal arts programs globally and attract the best students to its campus.