Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)

Mahatma Gandhi University in GIAN

The Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) stands as a catalytic programme under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, one with potentially far-reaching impact. GIAN aspires to build and strengthen ties between India’s higher education institutions and prestigious academic institutions throughout the world.

The GIAN initiative seeks to promote international collaboration in education and research by bringing faculty from prestigious universities around the world . This effort not only allows information exchange but also creates the framework for long-term, sustained collaboration across institutions through specialised course delivery.

Universities ranked in the top 200 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and with a minimum NAAC ‘A’ grade, indicating a score of 3.0 or above, are eligible to join the GIAN Scheme.

Mahatma Gandhi University met all the eligibility criteria to join the GIAN programme under the leadership of Prof.(Dr.) Sabu Thomas, the former Vice Chancellor. MGU has applied for 31 courses with International collaborations in Science, Social sciences, Management, Education and Tourism. The courses are under review at IIT Karagpur, the National Coordinator, GIAN.

The Apex Body of GIAN has sanctioned Mahatma Gandhi University’s first course, “Responsible Conduct of Research -An Overview of Ethical Principles for Scientific Researchers,”  developed collaboratively by the International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, and the University of North Texas Health Science Centre, United States of America. 

This course will provide an overview of all of the essential components of conducting research. Students will gain the ethical analysis competencies necessary for making moral decisions, as well as the chance for critical reflection on one’s personal values and obligations as a scientist.

The second sanctioned programme is a workshop on “Microbial Modelling of Pathogens in Foods and USDA – Pathogen Modelling Programme’s Applications in Ensuring Safety of Indian Food Supply” jointly crafted by Prof. Jisha M. S, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University  and Dr. Vijay Juneja, Microbiologist and Lead Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture & Agriculture Research Service, USA.

 This workshop aims to provide attendees with an excellent opportunity to learn the most important microbiological safety issues facing the food industry on a global scale and enhance the knowledge of predictive microbiology, and learn new approaches for modelling foodborne pathogens.