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Session 1403

Global Engineering Education: A partnership between Rajagiri College (Cochin, India), and Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA)

Stephen Zahorian, Sacharia Albin, William Swart

College of Engineering and Technology Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA 23529

Abstract

As part of its efforts in global engineering education, the College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University has established a cooperative agreement with Rajagiri College in Cochin, South India, for a 2+2 B.S. Computer Engineering degree. That is, students will complete the first two years of the program at Rajagiri College using syllabi and curricular material from Old Dominion University. Students will complete the final two years of the program at Old Dominion University. The basis for the agreement includes the accreditation of Rajagiri College under Mahatma Gandhi University and University Grants Commission of India. Qualification and experience of the faculty, the college facility, established relations with other US universities, familiarity with US education system, efficient management, and financial commitments were assessed to make the cooperative agreement viable. Currently, 15 students are enrolled in the program, which began in September 2000. Five Old Dominion courses are scheduled for web-based delivery to Rajagiri beginning in Summer 2001. Old Dominion faculty interact with their counterparts at Rajagiri College for course delivery and assessment. Competency examinations, created and graded by Old Dominion faculty, will be used to assess student performance during the first two years of the program.

The program is expected to be a “win-win” agreement for all parties involved. Rajagiri students will benefit by the ability to attend a US college of engineering at a much lower total cost than would otherwise be possible. They will also be introduced to the US system on a graduated basis. Rajagiri benefits by being able to begin an engineering program with a great deal of help. Old Dominion University benefits by being able to attract high caliber students that otherwise would not come to the US. All parties benefit by the daily interactions between faculty and students of diverse cultures separated by 10 time zones and two oceans, yet closely linked electronically in today’s global village.

1. Introduction and Background

Old Dominion University is a state-supported, mid-size urban university located in Norfolk, Virginia. Old Dominion University is a relatively young institution, having begun as branch of the nearby college of William and Mary in 1930, beginning independent status about 10 years later, attaining university status in the 1970s, and having been classified as Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive Institution in 2000. Today, the University has an enrollment of

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Zahorian, S., & Albin, S., & Swart, W. (2001, June), Global Engineering Education: A Partnership Between Rajagiri College (Cochin, India) And Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va) Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9307