°×С½ãÂÛ̳ welcomes students to inaugural India Summer School
19 June 2024
Indian pre-university students got a taste of what it's like to study at a world-leading UK university during °×С½ãÂÛ̳’s first ever India Summer School.
Based at the cutting-edge campus of The British School New Delhi from 10-14 June, leading °×С½ãÂÛ̳ professors ran research-led teaching sessions for small groups of prospective students from across the country on a range of interdisciplinary topics.
°×С½ãÂÛ̳ alumni Anika Dhawan, Akshat Khandelwal and Mandeep Singh chatted to participants about their experiences of studying in London, applying to universities and forging careers after graduation. Current undergraduates also took part, including third year student Adya Chetiya from Delhi, who live-streamed from °×С½ãÂÛ̳’s Bloomsbury campus for a virtual tour and Q&A.
The study pathways for students to explore included: Ìý
- Psychology and the Human Brain
- Medical Sciences and Artificial Intelligence
- Creative and Cultural Industries
- Management, Business and Law
- Climate Change and Cities of the Future
- Public Policy in Science, Engineering and TechnologyÌý
Dr Michael Collins (°×С½ãÂÛ̳ History), Professor Priti Parikh (°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment), Professor Daniel Richardson (°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Brain Sciences), Professor John Hurst (°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Medical Sciences), Dr Tim Beasley-Murray (°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Arts & Humanities), Dr Manzur Rashid and Nidhi Chaudhary (both °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Engineering) delivered sessions.
Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director for the British Council in India, and Vishu Sharma, Senior Project Manager - Higher Education, British Council also addressed the students as part of the programme.
Participants finished the week presenting group projects on each study pathway to their classmates, and were treated to a high tea celebrating their achievements and awarded a certificate by Kirsty Walker, °×С½ãÂÛ̳’s Vice-President (External Engagement) and Professor Geraint Rees, Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement).
Dr Michael Collins (°×С½ãÂÛ̳ History), who oversaw development and delivery of the Summer School, said: "India is a remarkable country. It was an absolute privilege to work on the Summer School curriculum design and planning, and then lead the teaching team in Delhi, seeing the whole thing come to life. As is so often the case, it was the people that made the difference: °×С½ãÂÛ̳ leaders' willingness to explore new ideas, inspirational °×С½ãÂÛ̳ professors, unyielding energy from the Indian students, and a consummately professional local partner in the form of The British School New Delhi."
Kirsty Walker, Vice-President (External Engagement) said: "°×С½ãÂÛ̳ has a fantastic global community of staff, alumni and students and we were delighted to give pre-university students from across India a taste of what it's like to study with us this week. I hope to welcome many on campus soon."
Vanita Uppal OBE,ÌýDirector, The British School New Delhi, said: "A shared vision of making exceptional, multidisciplinary learning opportunities available to students from across the country makes the partnership between The British School New Delhi and the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ India Summer School truly special. Our shared values of nurturing global citizens who are compassionate and principled critical thinkers came to fruition over the five-day inaugural °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Summer School here at The British School New Delhi. Witnessing the learner outcomes and their engagement, this is a story with a sequel for sure!"
Student participant Shreshth Gupta, from Karnal, Haryana, said: “Attending the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ India Summer School was an exceptionally unique, outstanding, and unforgettable experience. The curriculum diverged significantly from traditional education patterns, offering us in-depth knowledge. Moreover, the TBS and °×С½ãÂÛ̳ faculties were highly supportive and approachable, particularly Dr Manzur Rashid and Dr Michael Collins. The connections we formed during this time will stay with us forever."
Udit Singhal, an alum of both °×С½ãÂÛ̳ and The British School New Delhi, was recently featured on Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list, recognised for pioneering an innovative and environmentally friendly technology that converts used glass bottles into sand through his company Glass2Sand.
Links
- Dr Michael Collins' academic profile
- °×С½ãÂÛ̳ History
- °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Social & Historical Sciences
- °×С½ãÂÛ̳ strengthens commitment to India with 100 new Master’s scholarships and Summer School launch
- °×С½ãÂÛ̳ and India
Image
- Featured image: Vice-President (External Engagement) Kirsty Walker, Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) Professor Geraint Rees, Dr Michael Collins and °×С½ãÂÛ̳ colleagues with Director of The British School New Delhi, Vanita Uppal OBE, and students atÌýthe inaugural India Summer School.
Media contact
Sophie Vinter
Tel: +44 (0)20 3108 7787
Email: s.vinter [at] ucl.ac.uk