UVa-Wise and Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University seek institution relationship

MOU agreement being signed by Witold Wolny, field director of international programs at UVa-Wise, and by VBS Purvanchal University vice chancellor, Dr. Sunder Lal

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise signed a letter of intent for affiliation with the Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, India.

The letter explores the possibility of establishing an institution relationship to enhance opportunities for study abroad and cultural exchange with emphasis in the areas of business, economics, religion and philosophy. Events that may enrich or expand educational and cultural understanding will add to the agreement value.

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is the second American institution to begin a relationship with VBS Purvanchal University. The University recently began exchange programs with Oakland University. UVa-Wise has agreements with seven sister institutions in Austria, Germany, UK, Luxembourg, Mexico and two in Spain.

“This intent presents the potential for great cultural opportunities with UVa-Wise’s first sister institution in India,” said Witold Wolny, field director of international programs at UVa-Wise. “We are quite enthusiastic about the possibilities this agreement presents.”

The VBS Purvanchal University was established in 1987 under the U.P. Universities Act 1973 as a residential-cum-affiliating University. Located in a rural setting similar to UVa-Wise, the University enrolls 1,650 students, of which 720 reside on campus, and is located 10 kilometers from the town of Jaunpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The campus covers an area of over 170 acres and has 82 Government-aided and 185 self-financing affiliated colleges and two affiliated autonomous colleges.

The VBS Purvanchal University offers a total of 24 programs in 16 departments with nine in the Institute of Engineering & Technology and seven in other applied disciplines. The University recently initiated courses in e-Business Management, Agri-Business Management, Applied Microbiology, Applied Biochemistry and Environmental Sciences, Applied Psychology, Financial Management, human resources, Mass Communication and Biotechnology.