Curtin University to train Indian teachers

Curtin University has signed up to help the Indian government train its 8 million teachers.

Curtin University vice-chancellor Deborah Terry.

In today’s Higher Ed Daily Brief: Helping India’s teachers,

Curtin reaches out to India

Curtin University will be working with an Indian government body to improve the standards of India’s 8 million teachers. Vice-chancellor Deborah Terry said the university’s experience in delivering online education through Open Universities Australia and through its MOOCs (massive open online courses) stood it in good stead to offer high-quality teaching education programs to India’s huge teaching workforce in widely spread locations.

The university has signed an agreement with India’s National Council for Educational Research and Training, which plans to offer training to at least 3.2 million of the country’s 8 million teachers. Given that there are 1.2 billion mobile phones in India and 92 per cent of Indians use them, the courses will be delivered on mobile devices.

“I am pleased that Curtin can help the Indian government achieve its five-year plan to improve teacher quality,” said Professor Terry. Besides the online courses, Curtin will also do research on the effectiveness of India’s education system.

French allies

On the back of Adelaide’s submarine building project, Flinders University has deepened its defence engagement with the French. The university has become the first institution outside France to join CELADON, a group made up of leading French maritime engineering business and academic interests. Its industry members include Thales, ECA, Alcatel Submarine Networks, Airbus, Sercel, RTsys, Forssea-Robotics and Guinard Energies.

“This demonstrates the international focus of our university and is an excellent example of collaboration that is taking place at Flinders with major defence players around the world,” said vice-chancellor Colin Stirling.