Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                         (229) 931-2037 ssnyder@canes.gsw.edu

(229) 931-2072 fax

____________________________________________________________________________

Sept. 30, 2009

GSW continues international collaboration

 with Indian college

            AMERICUS—In keeping with its efforts of collaboration, Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently with SEMCOM – Sardar English Medium College of Commerce and Management – located in India.

            SEMCOM is affiliated with Sardar Patel University and awards degrees in the areas of commerce and management. It is managed by a charitable educational trust known as Charutar Vidya Mandal (CVM). CVM is one of the most affluent educational systems in the state of Gujarat. Its chairman, Dr. C.L. Patel visited Georgia Southwestern to sign the MOU last week.

            “India is an emerging super power and critically important to the future economic strength of the United States,” said President Kendall Blanchard. “Developing relationships with institutions in India that are preparing India’s future leaders is not only good for GSW but also good for the state and the country.”

            With this collaboration students from SEMCOM will attend Georgia Southwestern to earn either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration or computer science.

            Georgia Southwestern has signed similar agreements with colleges and universities in China and Korea. Schools in each of these countries have a strong demand for American education, and these students are willing to come to the U.S. and pay out-of-state tuition.

            Additional GSW representatives taking part in the signing included Brian Adler, Vice President of Academic Affairs; School of Computing and Mathematics Dean Boris Peltsverger; computer science professor Arvind Shah, local businessman and GSW supporter, Sharad Patel, and Dr. C.L. Patel’s son, Shailesh Patel, were also in attendance.

            Two countries, one agreement--GSW President Kendall Blanchard (front right) signs a Memorandum of Understanding with C.L. Patel (front left), the chairman of a well known Indian higher education system. Back row, left to right: Shailesh Patel, Americus businessman Sharad Patel, GSW Professor Arvind Shah, GSW Vice President of Academic Affairs Brian Adler and GSW Dean of the School of Computing and Mathematics Boris Peltsverger.

- GSW -