Varanasi, U.P -- (SBWire) -- 08/05/2010 -- Students from School of Management Sciences, Varanasi, India are discovering the rich intellectual heritage at Claflin University this summer because of a newly formed exchange program between the University's School of Business and India's School of Management Sciences.
“As a whole, we are learning so much from the academic environment here at Claflin,” said Mr. Upendra Pandey, who is an aspiring export/import trader.
Along with three other SMS students, Mr. Pandey is taking summer courses in the Claflin School of Business' Master of Business Administration Program. In addition, the students are serving internships at two Orangeburg businesses, Southern Patio and Courtesy Management.
This past March, School of Business Dean Dr. Harpal Grewal visited the SMS campus, met with the faculty there and gave a presentation to students. Dr. Grewal said a group of Claflin business students will spend the 2011 spring semester at SMS as part of the exchange program.
He is confident the newly formed international exchange program will provide excellent opportunities for students at both institutions. Dr. Grewal hopes the program will eventually expand to include faculty.
“It is creating international experience and exposure for students,” Dr. Grewal said.
For SMS graduate student Mr. Aditya, Claflin has been a welcoming place that has expanded his worldview. He spoke with great admiration about the faculty and how much he enjoyed the study groups.
“We feel at home here,” he said. “I am really excited to be at Claflin.”
Mr. Aditya's goal is own a successful restaurant franchise. To that end, Mr. Aditya is obtaining some practical experience in owning and operating a hospitality franchise from Mrs. Hema Patel, owner of Courtesy Management; which manages a portfolio of hotel properties in the Midlands.
“It has been positive. I was quite happy with their attitudes and enthusiasm,” Mrs. Patel said.
She said Mr. Aditya and Mr. Abhinau Tripathi, another SMS exchange student, have already learned various aspects of the hospitality industry from working at the front desk to accounting.
This newest exchange program adds to many opportunities students in the School of Business have to study abroad. The School has exchange programs with universities in Delhi, India, Kenya and Ireland. In addition, business students can study internationally in London, Tokyo and Shanghai.
“With business becoming increasingly global, it is vital for our students to gain experience internationally,” Dr. Grewal said. “These exchange programs are allowing our students to not only meet but exceed the challenges of the 21st century.”
SMS is located in Varanasi, India, which is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh located in the Northeastern portion of that country. Established in 1995, the institution is known for its innovative management and computer science programs.
What most attracted Mr. Mudit Nemani about Claflin was the diversity and warmness of the Claflin student body. He was amazed at the number of states and nations represented at the University. Currently, Claflin has 45 international students from 16 different countries.
Mr. Nenami also appreciated that working professionals seeking a Master of Business Administration degree at Claflin are graciously willing to share their different experiences.
“I'm not even missing back home,” said Mr. Aditya.
The four men singled out the special hospitality and support they received from Dr. Grewal, Academic Computing Coordinator Dr. Kumkum Singh and Vice President for Planning, Assessment and Information Services Dr. Zia Hasan.
“We are very thankful to them. We are all thankful for Claflin University,” said Mr. Pandey, who indicated he would like to return to the University one day to support its mission.
Besides the exchange programs in Delhi and Varanasi, Claflin is no stranger to India.
In July 2006, four faculty members from Claflin, including Dr. Grewal, visited India to train field workers so they could instruct the public on how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. It was all part of a federally funded initiative called the Curriculum Development for the Culturally-Sensitive HIV/AIDS Reduction and Intervention Training Project, which was led by S.C. Center for Biotechnology Director Dr. Omar Bagasra. As part of the project, Claflin faculty developed a three premise training model to educate the public on preventing the disease.
Exchange Students from School of Management Sciences India Express Great Fondness for Claflin University