In line with the objectives of OBREAL’s India Chapter, and in partnership with members Simbiosis International University and FAUBAI, OBREAL had an important presence at the APAIE (Asia-Pacific Association for Internationalization of Higher Education) Annual Conference and Expo held in Delhi on 24-28 March.
OBREAL coordinated a lead-off conference session on Building symmetrical partnerships for development from a Global South perspective, whereconcrete initiatives and programs from Brazil (presented by Dr José Celso, President of FAUBAI) and India (Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director of Symbiosis Society and the Pro Chancellor of Symbiosis International University) were shared. This included a reflection on how Indian and Brazilian internationalization approaches incorprate the diverse Global Souths. Brazilian cooperation and scholarship programs targeting Africa, including the CAPES funded ‘sandwhich’ PhD programs, represent the general policy interest for Brazil to be a leader in South-South cooperation. Indian technical and cultural cooperation programs for Africa were highlighted, as was the general interest to promote India as a study destination. A call was made for more concerted cooperation platforms between India and Latin America, where academic collaboration has been more limited. The latter was also the focus of attention at a side-event hosted at the Brazilian Embassy to India on the 24th March, where OBREAL has been invited to share perspectives on ‘Pathways for cooperation’ between India and Brazil. Elizabeth Colucci, Director for Education Policy and Programs, framed India-Brazil higher education cooperation around the need for strong leadership in the South-South space, given changing geopolitics. FAUBAI, a co-host of the event, stressed the importance of modest steps leading to more structured cooperation (e.g. starting with short term exchanges of students and staff) and above all the critical importance of reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships, which is essential to Brazilian internationalization and also to OBREAL’s mission.
Finally, in as a complement to these activities, OBREAL and the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) co-hosted a roundtable discussion on the 26th March on “India as a Motor for South South Cooperation: The Role of Higher Education and Research”. Fifty high level delegates from India, Brazil, South Africa, Europe, the US and Southeast Asia have explored this topic, highlighting the distinct value-add that India can offer to the South-South cooperation space, expecially in digitalization transformation and research and innovation hubs, but also inter-cultural education and higher education policy. FICCI offered, with support of OBREAL, to provide a platform for match-making between commited Indian universities and global south partners, and map key economic and innovation opportunities that could frame that cooperation. The renewed BRICs framework and BRICs Development Bank was seem as one avenue for support, and it was noted that a meeting of BRICs rectors will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro in June. A call was made for inclusive and diverse South-South partnerships, embracing but not being limited to economic and policy spaces.
These events have not only been an expression of OBREALs continued collaboration with important members and partners like FAUBAI, Simbiosis International University and FICCI, but a distinct effort to bring the South-South-North cooperation agends to international higher education trade shows and discussion spaces. OBREAL also hopes this agenda will resonate further in South and Southeast Asia as it grows it’s cooperation in these regions.
