Friday, June 27, 2014

UNC-India Summit 2014



Remarks by former Ambassador T.P.Sreenivasan, Executive Head of the Kerala State Higher Education Council at the UNC-India Summit II at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. June 25, 2014.


Member of the UNC Board of Governors, Hari Nath,
UNC President Tom Ross,
VP for International Engagement, UNC, Leslie Boney,
Scott Simkins of NCA and TSU,
International Programs Coordinator Bonnei Derr,
Members of the faculty,
Friends,

The campus air in Chapel Hill exhilarates me even though I have been on the road for more than 24 hours and I am not sure when the jet lag will hit me. It is indeed an honour to be invited as the Keynote Speaker at the UNC-India Education Summit II, 2014. I recall how the idea of Kerala-UNC collaboration arose at a seminar organized by the Wadhwani Chair of the CSIS a year ago, at which I made a presentation on the Kerala State Higher Education Council under the chairmanship of Ambassador Rick Inderfurth, himself an alumnus of the UNC at Chapel Hill.

Leslie Boney and Scott Simkins should be in the category of pioneers and explorers like David Livingstone and Christopher Columbus, as they came to the distant Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala State in their quest for new frontiers of educational cooperation. Today, we are reaping the harvest of their efforts by celebrating the growing cooperation between UNC and Kerala. I am here to reciprocate their visit and to see how far we can go on our path of collaboration. During the initial visit itself, they made a contribution to our thinking at the International Meet on Transnational Education (IMTE) as well as at the seminars in the Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) in Kottayam and the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) at Kochi. Two more experts, Sanjiv Sarin and Jerono Rotich have also been to MGU even within the first year of our cooperation. This Summit will give us an opportunity to assess the work of UNC not only in Kerala, but also in the rest of India. The pace at which UNC has begun to work in India is truly remarkable.

Leslie has asked me to place the educational reforms in Kerala and India in the context of the advent of the new Government under Prime Minister Nrendra Modi. Neeraj Agrawal has already spoken of the prospects of the Narendra Modi Government from the point of view of a BJP insider. I share his view that there is much excitement about the change in Government and there is an air of new purposefulness in India. Many policies of the new Government are yet to be announced, but the indications so far are that there would be change, but also continuity, particularly in foreign policy. As for education, the concerned Minister, Smriti Irani, who was initially criticized for not having been to a University, has made a mark as a young, energetic and visionary person. A new educational policy is said to be on the anvil and all indications are that it is likely to be forward looking, modern and technologically savvy. She has spoken of excellence in institutions in every state and the adoption of modern techniques of education like MOOCS.

The reports from Leslie and Scott have indicated the efforts we are making to build Higher Education 2.0, with six areas identified for special attention. The Central Government too seems to be introducing reforms, building on the good foundations laid in the past to meet the challenges and use the opportunities of the 21st century, particularly the demographic dividend India will have in the next few years. In my view, what is needed is not just a new education policy, but a new education system.

The new Government has inherited a substantially diminished relationship between India and the United States, compared to its heyday at the time of the India-US nuclear deal. President Barack Obama came to India in 2010 with the intention of building a defining relationship of the 21st century, expecting to benefit from the nuclear deal, purchase by India of military aircraft and the liberalization of the Indian economy. Those hopes have been belied for various reasons, most notably because of the policy paralysis in Delhi. The “roller coaster ride” of India-US relations had reached a deep trough, with the Khobragade incident and the visa denial to Narendra Modi imposed in 2005. But as it has been made clear by recent events, the roller coaster has begun to move up again. Since the priorities of the Modi Government are domestic development and strengthening India’s strategic space, the US will be a natural partner and the baggage of the past will be left aside. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the US this September and no visa hassle is expected!

It must be remembered that even in the midst of the din and bustle of political controversies, quiet work in the various working groups has been taking place and education is one of the areas in which progress has been made. I have no doubt that this will continue and new areas of cooperation between the two countries will emerge. I hope that the modest success we have achieved in Kerala-UNC cooperation will be a contribution to the larger picture.

The reports we have received today on the various ongoing programs like UNC’s Hindi-Urdu Language Consortium Program, its MOOC on the Asian economies, Social Work cooperation between UNC Wilmington and Bangalore University and others show how much UNC is involved in India already. There was a time when India was hardly on the American radar, political, economic or educational. But today, India is very much in the consciousness of the US and the prospects are bright for multifaceted collaboration. From being “estranged democracies”, the two countries have become “engaged democracies”. The UNC-India Summit II has been a significant milestone in our journey together.

Thank you.



Saturday, June 14, 2014

The making of a diplomat





CAMPUS RECONNECT

The making of a diplomat

ATHIRA M.
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  • Diplomat T. P. Sreenivasan is currently executive Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council, and Director General, Kerala International Centre. Photo: Athira M.
    The HinduDiplomat T. P. Sreenivasan is currently executive Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council, and Director General, Kerala International Centre. Photo: Athira M.
  • T. P Sreenivasan replying to the toast to the outgoing students at University College
    Special ArrangementT. P Sreenivasan replying to the toast to the outgoing students at University College

T. P. Sreenivasan looks back at his vibrant college life

When I finished my schooling in my home town Kayamkulam with a first class, my father, K. Parameswaran Pillai, decided that I would go to a university and that too in Thiruvananthapuram. Many had advised my parents to put me into the one-year teaching course. But my father, a school teacher, has always set the goals for me and my siblings and my mother, N. Chellamma, ensured that we could pursue them.
Thus I joined the Intermediate College in 1960 – new place, new surroundings, and a new medium of instruction. It was a total culture shock for me as I had studied in Malayalam medium schools till then. I didn’t understand most of the things the teachers taught because except my second language, Malayalam, everything else was taught in English. Later I realised that it was good that they didn’t use Malayalam in class because that’s how I picked up English.
There was this outsider tag always associated with me and that continued even after I joined University College for BA English. I was tempted to take up science, but my father was adamant that I should take up English since he believed that I was destined to join the foreign service. The reason behind this dream of his was Shankar Pillai, a teacher of University College, whom my father had met. Shankar had cleared the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exams, but was killed by a mad man at his office in Canada. My father thought I would replace him one day in the foreign service.
Things changed for the better within two years at University College especially after I got high marks in the second year examination of my BA course. Though I was still an outsider for those from the capital city, it did not take long for the situation to improve. In fact, I should thank one of our teachers, Sudhakaran Nair, who took all of us around and brought us together.
I can go on and on about my teachers, which includes people like G. Kumara Pillai, Ayyappa Paniker, Hridayakumari, Santhakumari, Chellamma Philip, K. K. Neelakantan, K. Srinivasan, John and Vaidyanathan, among others. Ayyappa Paniker sir has been the one who left behind a lasting impression on me. Though I couldn’t understand his brilliance and sense of humour while in college, in my later years I was fortunate to get to know him more. His intelligence kept me in awe. He introduced me to the world of global literature and encouraged me to read more. As for Hridayakumari teacher, it was my dream to speak like her!
We did give nicknames to a few teachers. Sankara Narayana Iyer sir was called ‘Vada’ sir, probably because he used to bring vada for lunch. It is learnt that once some of the students tied a vada on the fan when he walked into the class. Then there was ‘Punchiri’ Mathai, who always had a strange smile on his face. Vaidyanathan sir was called ‘Vadi’, because was very tall and straight like a stick, and looked more like a soldier.
Another major influence has been my principal N. S. Warrier sir who instilled in me a liking for foreign affairs. He was very much interested in what was happening around the world and used to call me to his office to discuss that with me. He believed that I have a future in foreign service. In fact, as I was active in Students Congress then and decided to stand for the post of Chairman, he immediately wrote to my father about that. I had to withdraw from the move.
I used to move around with a group of four, some of them my seniors. We used to watch English movies at Sreekumar Theatre, where a new movie was released once in every three days. Then the charge was 24 paisa!
The five years on the University College campus, pursuing BA and MA in English, have been the most formative and memorable years of my life. I am deeply hurt by the fact its days of glory is now a thing of the the past.
After passing out, I taught at Mar Ivanios College for over a year. By then I had cleared IFS and it was time to explore new pastures.
Illustrious profile
T.P. Sreenivasan (IFS batch, 1967) has served in the foreign service for 37 years. A former Ambassador of India he is currently executive Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council, and Director General, Kerala International Centre.
(A column to commemorate the platinum jubilee of the University of Kerala. Eminent teachers and people from different walks of life talk about their student days in various colleges under the University.)




  • Diplomat T. P. Sreenivasan is currently executive Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council, and Director General, Kerala International Centre. Photo: Athira M.
  • T. P Sreenivasan replying to the toast to the outgoing students at University College
    Special ArrangementT. P Sreenivasan replying to the toast to the outgoing students at University College

T. P. Sreenivasan looks back at his vibrant college life

When I finished my schooling in my home town Kayamkulam with a first class, my father, K. Parameswaran Pillai, decided that I would go to a university and that too in Thiruvananthapuram. Many had advised my parents to put me into the one-year teaching course. But my father, a school teacher, has always set the goals for me and my siblings and my mother, N. Chellamma, ensured that we could pursue them.
Thus I joined the Intermediate College in 1960 – new place, new surroundings, and a new medium of instruction. It was a total culture shock for me as I had studied in Malayalam medium schools till then. I didn’t understand most of the things the teachers taught because except my second language, Malayalam, everything else was taught in English. Later I realised that it was good that they didn’t use Malayalam in class because that’s how I picked up English.
There was this outsider tag always associated with me and that continued even after I joined University College for BA English. I was tempted to take up science, but my father was adamant that I should take up English since he believed that I was destined to join the foreign service. The reason behind this dream of his was Shankar Pillai, a teacher of University College, whom my father had met. Shankar had cleared the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exams, but was killed by a mad man at his office in Canada. My father thought I would replace him one day in the foreign service.
Things changed for the better within two years at University College especially after I got high marks in the second year examination of my BA course. Though I was still an outsider for those from the capital city, it did not take long for the situation to improve. In fact, I should thank one of our teachers, Sudhakaran Nair, who took all of us around and brought us together.
I can go on and on about my teachers, which includes people like G. Kumara Pillai, Ayyappa Paniker, Hridayakumari, Santhakumari, Chellamma Philip, K. K. Neelakantan, K. Srinivasan, John and Vaidyanathan, among others. Ayyappa Paniker sir has been the one who left behind a lasting impression on me. Though I couldn’t understand his brilliance and sense of humour while in college, in my later years I was fortunate to get to know him more. His intelligence kept me in awe. He introduced me to the world of global literature and encouraged me to read more. As for Hridayakumari teacher, it was my dream to speak like her!
We did give nicknames to a few teachers. Sankara Narayana Iyer sir was called ‘Vada’ sir, probably because he used to bring vada for lunch. It is learnt that once some of the students tied a vada on the fan when he walked into the class. Then there was ‘Punchiri’ Mathai, who always had a strange smile on his face. Vaidyanathan sir was called ‘Vadi’, because was very tall and straight like a stick, and looked more like a soldier.
Another major influence has been my principal N. S. Warrier sir who instilled in me a liking for foreign affairs. He was very much interested in what was happening around the world and used to call me to his office to discuss that with me. He believed that I have a future in foreign service. In fact, as I was active in Students Congress then and decided to stand for the post of Chairman, he immediately wrote to my father about that. I had to withdraw from the move.
I used to move around with a group of four, some of them my seniors. We used to watch English movies at Sreekumar Theatre, where a new movie was released once in every three days. Then the charge was 24 paisa!
The five years on the University College campus, pursuing BA and MA in English, have been the most formative and memorable years of my life. I am deeply hurt by the fact its days of glory is now a thing of the the past.
After passing out, I taught at Mar Ivanios College for over a year. By then I had cleared IFS and it was time to explore new pastures.
Illustrious profile
T.P. Sreenivasan (IFS batch, 1967) has served in the foreign service for 37 years. A former Ambassador of India he is currently executive Vice-Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council, and Director General, Kerala International Centre.
(A column to commemorate the platinum jubilee of the University of Kerala. Eminent teachers and people from different walks of life talk about their student days in various colleges under the University.)