Manipal University, through the Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boston University, Henry M Goldman Schools of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM). The purpose of the MoU is to establish an exchange programme during the 2017-2020 academic years.

The MoU seeks to promote mutual understanding and contribute to the advancement and progress of dental education and science through educational and academic collaboration, and exchanges of mutual interest and benefit.

The pact was inked by Dr H Vinod Bhat, vice-chancellor, Manipal University and Dr Nirmala Rao, Dean, MCODS, and Dr Jean Morrison, Boston University Provost, Chief Academic Officer and Dr Jeffrey W Hutter, Dean, BUGSDM. The universities have agreed to send four students and a faculty member as team leader for two-week rotations. The BUGSDM rotation is expected to begin in September of each academic year and that of MCODS will begin between June 1 and August 15 of each academic year.

In the case of Manipal University, it has many such tie-ups with universities abroad that give many of its students an opportunity to go abroad as exchange students. Besides it has also collaborated with leading institutions in Australia, Germany among others.

While such exchange programmes give the students an exposure to the academic programmes there, they also open the eyes of the students to a whole new vista of opportunities and possibilities. The faculties also get to see the best of teaching methodologies and technologies in imparting education, stated the officials.

The fields of medicine and engineering need a continuous knowledge and benefits the most from such programmes.