A.K. Yadav, from the Ansal Institute of Technology, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, spent last week visiting NDSU. He is a professor of computer science and dean of Student Affairs and Corporate Relations at the institute.
NDSU has a twinning agreement with the Ansal Institute of Technology, and Yadav came to meet with students from the institute who currently are enrolled at NDSU. He also toured NDSU facilities.
Yadav is working on improving the teaching-learning process at the institute, including helping faculty learn to incorporate active and cooperative learning into their classrooms. The Ansal Institute of Technology uses the western educational model of continuous assessment rather than the traditional single examination model. Feedback from students who currently are attending NDSU will help future transfer students be better prepared for their course work and for living in North Dakota.
“It has been a very unique experience for me,” Yadav said. “I feel very at home and have had a warm reception. It gives me the feeling I should look at coming back again and next time I will have even more to share and more to learn.”
Yadav is a strong advocate of research collaboration and of faculty and staff exchanges, as well as praising the student exchange program. During his visit, he participated in planning meetings with professors and department chairs in engineering, computer science, biotechnology and other programs.
“Also, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the senior officials at NDSU,” he said. “They have been extraordinary in supporting this joint venture. I feel proud that we have such visionary leaders on both sides.”
Jan. 23, 2009