 "Photo: Joe Rehana")
Students in Journalism 302 will be seeing their SIUC professor Linda Conway-Correll in a whole new way.
Conway-Correll, assistant professor in the School of Journalism, will take part in a faculty exchange with a professor from India, which will require her to teach her class via videoconference once a week starting Oct. 5. Conway-Correll said she came up with the idea for the connection between the two schools over the course of seven trips she made to India since 2003.
The plan was put in motion Aug. 21 when SIUC signed an agreement called the Memorandum of Understanding that will provide opportunities for students and faculty to enhance their research projects and interests with the Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad. The agreement will allow not only a swap of faculty but also a switch of students between the two institutions.
Administrators said the agreement should benefit SIUC and MICA, not just because of the educational aspect but also because of the cultural experience that will be gained.
"India changes your life, there's no doubt in my mind," Conway-Correll said. "You see incredible poverty and incredible richness, and it's so rewarding to work with them."
Conway-Correll said she experienced a cultural difference the first time she was invited to an MICA employee's home because she ate dinner with the family while sitting on the floor.
"They are very hospitable and warm people," said Conway-Correll. "Everything about India is really exciting to me."
She said she was grateful Atul Tandan, director of MICA, found time in his schedule while visiting his son and daughter in the United States to come to the university to meet with her and other faculty to sign the agreement.
"This agreement will help us appreciate each other's educational institution," Conway-Correll said.
The first faculty exchange took place Sept. 9 when Subhash Tendle, the director of the crafting creative communication programs at MICA, arrived to teach Conway-Correll's scheduled courses.
Tendle has taught at MICA for six years and said he is sure both institutions will benefit from the experience.
"The world is getting smaller and smaller," Tendle said. "People are able to move from country to country a lot easier than they were able years ago."
Gary Kolb, dean of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, said he was enthusiastic about the agreement.
He said SIUC students would be able to travel to India for roughly six months and participate in MICA's post baccalaureate portfolio program. He said students could develop a strong portfolio and create a network with advertising companies and media agencies in Asia.
He said students participating in the program pay almost half of what they would pay in similar programs because it is possible that financial aid could cover the expenses.
SIUC has signed more than 140 agreements with 52 countries. However, only about 20 of the agreements are relatively active. The Independent University, Bangladesh is another institution used primarily for student exchange with the university that is active.
Christine Svec, associate director of International Programs and Services, said the agreement is more than just an educational connection.
"After connecting with someone from another country, it's like a little string tied to your heart so when something happens to that country it affects you," Svec said.
Even though students are not heavily involved with the program yet, some students such as Cole Singleton, a junior from Mascoutah studying journalism, said he would be interested in taking his education overseas.
"SIU students need to be exposed to more global things, and you can't experience those things with just SIU teachers," he said.
Shaneika Booker can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 268 or shay1805@siu.edu.
