Academic Relations

Education

Constraints of language capability and, to some extent, geographical distance, as well as the lack of historical contact between institutions of higher education in both countries, have limited academic contacts between Colombia and India.

In recent years contacts have been increasing, although the pace has been slow.  MOUs have been signed – mostly in absentia – between some Indian and Colombian universities, but interaction has been at a low level.  Some Indian professors and experts have visited Colombia in recent years, and there are some notable Indologists and academicians in Colombian universities, who have been studying India and have written extensively on their experiences and study.

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INDIAN TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION PROGRAMME (ITEC)

For the year 2011 -2012, 45 scholarships have been earmarked for professionals and students in various disciplines from Colombia. Interested applicants can get information and application forms through the Colombian academic exchange agency (ICETEX) on www.icetex.gov.co.

Click here for details of courses  (2011-2012) and application form:

Read more: INDIAN TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION PROGRAMME (ITEC)

Colombian scholarships for India

COLOMBIAN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIA
 
           
ICETEX, the Colombian government agency for management of scholarships and educational exchanges, offers scholarships to Indian candidates.  The scholarships are essentially only for payment of tuition fees and incidental expenses in Colombia.  Selected candidates have to pay their own airfare.

ICETEX also has a programme under which it sponsors visits by professors from foreign countries, through selected universities.  The Colombian university concerned can apply for either the airfare or for local hospitality – but not both – from ICETEX.

For further information please read what is stated below:

COLOMBIAN ACADEMIC COOPERATION  WITH INDIA

The Academic Cooperation between India and Colombia is defined in the Cultural Convention executed on May 22, 1974, in Bogotá.

Cooperation Colombia – India:
The Cooperation offered through the Instituto Colombiano de Credito Educativo y Estudios (ICETEX) is included in the “Reciprocity Program for Foreigners in Colombia” in its different lines of action:
SCOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE OR RESEARCH IN COLOMBIA: On (in Spanish medium) a reciprocal basis, ICETEX offers Scholarships for Postgraduate studies, Masters or PhD to foreign citizens of cooperating countries. This program provides 100% of tuition fees of the program chosen by the student.  ICETEX also pays  to the students a monthly stipend for living expenses, books and materials, health insurance and a one time allowance to cover unexpected expenses.
With this program, Colombia intends to strengthen and promote the internationalization of Colombian higher education, where nationals and foreigners contribute with their experience and knowledge. At the same time, this program provides a great scenario to make a cultural exchange, where foreigners can appreciate and share Colombian culture and national reality.  For full details of the scholarships and application procedures please click here
 
INVITED TEACHERS: In partnership with Colombian Universities, ICETEX finances the participation of international experts in Post-graduate programs in Colombia with high level of Investigation, Post Graduates and PhD’s can come to Colombia to make significant contribution to these programs, in order to encourage and further strengthen the quality of the higher education in Colombia.
In order to achieve best results, Invited Teachers and Experts from India, can participate in seminars, conferences, graduate programs and workshops for a duration ranging from three days to six months. According to the requirement of the Colombian University, ICETEX will finance international airfares or travel allowance during the stay in Colombia of the Expert, on the request of a Colombian University.
Under this program, in 2005, Mr. Shyama Prasad Ganguly visited Colombia at the invitation of the Instituto Caro y Cuervo to participate in the Indian and Latin-American Academic Meeting. In 2008, Mr. S. Dharmajara came to Colombia invited by Universidad de Los Andes to participate in a workshop on stochastic models.
ICETEX offers annually the program of Scholarships for Foreigners in Colombia, but for the year 2009, ICETEX did not receive any application from Indian students desiring to study in Colombian universities. Colombian Government reiterates its intention to offer the Scholarship program to the Indian Government for the period 2010. The Terms of Reference are available on the web page of ICETEX: www.icetex.gov.co link Foreign Students in Colombia.
Proposals:
ICETEX is considering, as part of the technical and academic cooperation with India, to include and to emphasize the importance of establishing a Language Assistants Program between India and Colombia. The idea is to encourage bilingualism by improving the teaching of English in Colombia and Spanish in India.
With this program, ICETEX also wants to promote the mutual knowledge about academic, linguistic and cultural aspects, for the benefit of teaching institutions with support to the internationalization policies.
In Colombia this program will be funded by ICETEX and Colombian Universities, giving the Scholars a monthly stipend of US$625, health insurance and a courtesy visa. However the International air tickets and domestic travel will have to be provided by the Scholars themselves.
More over, ICETEX also proposes:
Joint Research: both parties can share technical, human and financial resources to carry out research projects
Increase in the number of scholarships for post-graduate studies (Masters and PhD’s)
Academic Exchanges through internships for students, professionals and professors between India and Colombia
Publicity for the Invited Teachers Program where ICETEX in partnership with Colombian Universities finances the participation of international experts in Postgraduate programs with high level of Investigation, Masters and PhD’s to come to Colombia to make significant contributions to these programs, with the aim to encourage and to strengthen the quality of higher education in Colombia.
Academic and Business Missions between Colombia and India in order to promote academic and entrepreneureal visits from Colombia to India and India to Colombia to share experiences and results.

INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS (ICCR)

INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS (ICCR)

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) awards scholarships for regular courses of higher studies to candidates in countries which have a bilateral Cultural Exchange Program with India.  Two such scholarships are therefore awarded to Colombian nationals per year.  The scholarship is awarded in almost all the disciplines of regular study and also for classical dance, music, fine arts, etc. in India.  For details of the courses and scholarships, please contact the Embassy of India in Bogota  in person befere February 12 2010.

Application form for ICCR Scholarships