SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Aug 9: The Sarala Birla University, Ranchi, and the Berkeley International Study Program (BISP) at the University of California at Berkeley have signed an MoU to establish a visiting student programme for undergraduate and/ or graduate students.
As per the agreement, the Berkeley International Study Programme at the University of California, Berkeley, will admit students to its course programme, as space permits, during the Fall and/ or Spring semesters from SBU. All students must take a minimum of 12 units per semester.
Students from SBU are to pay tuition and other academic fees according to UC Berkeley Extension’s Concurrent Enrollment fees for the Fall or Spring semester. Students from Sarala Birla University will be responsible for paying their own living expenses including accommodation, meals, and healthcare.
The SBU will select and nominate students in accordance with the timeline distributed by BISP each semester. Students must take part in a short interview by Skype/ Google Hangout/ WeChat or in person to assess the students’ interest in coursework in the participating departments. SBU may add additional requirements that the student must meet in order to be eligible to study away from SBU.
Students will not earn a degree from UC Berkeley or BISP after their stay there. Any articulation of coursework towards the student’s degree at SBU will be subject to the approval of SBU.
UC Berkeley Extension will in turn, provide support for appropriate visa and immigration processing. BISP will also provide support services for students in academic and social orientation and integration.
Moreover, all undergraduate students in their first semester in BISP are required to enroll in Sociology 198: Strategies for Cross-Cultural Learning for one unit, pass/ no pass only. This unit can count towards the 12 units the student needs for the semester. This course includes instruction on relevant topics to academic and cultural integration.
Talking in this regard, SBU Vice Chancellor Prof Gopal Pathak said, “This is an excellent opportunity for the students. They will have an opportunity to have internships there. The students who complete their internship at UC Berkeley will get certificates from the same for their internship, however, the degree will be provided by SBU itself.”
