Developing a Model Infrastructure for a Community College Network

Additional partners: Sinclair Community College; Hinds Community College; Community Colleges for International Development; Daytona Beach Community College; Skills for Progress; Further Vocational Training Foundation.

This partnership developed a model educational infrastructure for establishing pilot community colleges throughout southern India. Partnership activities included a workshop in Hyderabad for 22 Indian participants representing 10 educational institutions. The workshop focused on defining a community college in the Indian context and development of local implementation plans.

Workshop participants took part in a study tour of U.S. community colleges, including the College of DuPage, Eastern Iowa Community College District, Kirkwood Community College, and Sinclair Community College. The Dean of Muscatine Community College conducted two three-day workshops in India on curriculum development.

In September 2003, community college workshops focusing on industry linkages and resource development took place in Chochin and Bhubaneswar, drawing 56 participants. At least three of the original 10 institutions have established, or are working to establish, new community colleges in India.