Israel and India Forge Deeper Business Ties by Strengthening Cooperation in Education Sector
Top Hi-tech universities from Israel led by Consul General in Mumbai, discuss the way forward to strengthen bilateral relations in education through collaboration
Mumbai, 12 Dec 2014: As India's engagement with Israel has grown substantially in the last two decades on military, scientific, commercial and agricultural matters, the relationship has rested on - economic, defence and people to people interactions. With Bilateral trade between India and Israel standing at about $5 billion, the countries will soon ink a free trade agreement and the new $5 million joint research program will further strengthen the education-sector collaboration between the two countries.
With India building closer ties with the country, a delegation of the top hi-tech universities from Israel, looking at developing working models with leading Indian Institutions paid a visit to Weschool and deliberated on the way forward. The delegation consisting of Prof. Oron Shagrir, Vice Rector, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Dalit Parsser, Marketing Director, Tel-Aviv University, Giselle Rotman, International Office, Technion Institute, Dr. Eric Zimmerman, Director of Research & Global Engagement, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya and Einat Noy, Admn Director, Ben Gurion University, led by David Akov, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai. The discussion revolved around interesting and complex issues around the idea of developing the 'global mindset' in a 'global world', and the knowledge and skills which are central to developing a global mindset, specifically in the fast paced arena of international business relations.
While extending a warm welcome to the Consul General and dignitaries from Israel, Prof Dr Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool said, "We respect Israel as a country. Health, energy and education are the most important fields for both our countries. Israel with its culture of innovation has given a boost to entrepreneurship. Education is an engine of growth and collaborative creation is important for building a better future. We are therefore looking forward to working with academic institutions from your great country that nurture technology, innovation and mentor start-ups."
David Akov, Consul General of Israel reciprocated by saying, "India and Israel have always had strong ties at the government, private and individual levels. But at this point of time in history, the potential for collaboration in technological, educational, cultural and social fields is tremendous. Some of you who want to study, work, and research or get linked up with a start-up initiative will have immense opportunities as we offer the potential to do so. This will make our ties stronger and beneficial to all."
The way forward:
- Cooperation in understanding Innovative practices in the two countries - science, technology, agriculture, and healthcare, among others.
- Student Exchange programs/ Summer internships/ Mentoring programs focussed on innovation and entrepreneurship
- Developing linkages between Indian institutes and the high-tech start-up culture in Israel
- Opportunities for Research scholarships/ fellowships
WeSchool
Established in 1977, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) features among the premier Business Schools in India. Run by charitable Trust S.P. Mandali, Pune, all across the state of Maharashtra, WeSchool is ranked 15th out of 150 institutes in India as per the Annual Times B-School 2014 survey. The same survey has also ranked WeSchool as 7th best institute in the West zone and among the top 10 institutes recognized for providing exposure to latest developments in the corporate sector & management practices, quality of internships and emphasis laid on personality development. WeSchool's goal is to use the power of the amalgamation of design and management thinking and truly redesign the way education can make a meaningful difference to students, and society that is visible through actions and outcome.
WeSchool has established strong links with foreign universities like Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), Malardalen University and Jonkoping International Business School (Sweden), Lancaster University and University of Hull (UK), Grant MacEwan College (Canada), Otto Friedrich Universidad and Stuggart Media University (Germany), Unitec Institute (New Zealand) and Curtin Technical University (Australia).
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