VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Pisa, Italy, to facilitate exchange of students and faculty. The MoU, which is valid up to 2021, was signed by AU vice-chancellor GSN Raju and University of Pisa professor Gulivia Petroni during a meeting here Monday.
Addressing the reporters later, Raju said that exchange programmes with foreign universities would help AU students have more exposure to higher studies. Around 500 foreign students and research scholars studying in the AU would get benefited through such MoUs. Many foreign consultants visited and appreciated the university and evinced interest in joining their students here, the vice-chancellor said.
Under Belgium programme, two more courses including Electronics and Communication Engineering and Chemical Engineering were introduced. Under this programme, the students will study two years in the AU and another two years in KU, Leuven, Belgium, he explained.
Meanwhile, the AU launched a triple degree five-year integrated programme in engineering with Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden. It is also exploring the possibilities of collaborating with the Florida International University as regards launching joint courses in business management and hospital administration, he said.
The AU stall received a tremendous response during the international education fair organised in Nepal, where a lot of universities from various countries participated. In order to encourage students from other countries to study in the AU, the university would offer 30 per cent fee concession in various courses for the students of SAARC countries, he informed.
Gulivia Petroni expressed his happiness over collaborating with the varsity. AU registrar K Rama Mohana Rao and rector EA Narayana, International Affairs dean EN Dhanunjaya Rao and director BV Sandeep were present.