Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
Our Vision
The Office of International Programmes at LSR envisions a world where international academic collaborations are not one-sided exchanges, but dynamic, two-way dialogues. Through a series of innovative partnerships, student mobility opportunities, and cross-disciplinary projects, we ensure that LSR’s contributions to global academia are as influential and transformative as the ideas we receive. We believe that engagement is not simply about participation—it is about shaping the academic future through reciprocal intellectual exchange.
Guiding Frameworks: The B.R.I.D.G.E. and Catamaran Models
At the heart of our approach to internationalization are two guiding frameworks: the B.R.I.D.G.E. Model and the Catamaran Model. These principles underpin every aspect of our international strategy, driving our commitment to fostering cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary exchange.
B.R.I.D.G.E. – Bridging Regions, Ideas, and Disciplines for Global Exchange
The B.R.I.D.G.E. Model encapsulates our commitment to a multi-faceted, reciprocal exchange of knowledge. We seek to bridge regions, ideas, and disciplines, ensuring that our academic engagement spans across diverse geographies and fields of study. This model emphasizes the importance of a dynamic flow of knowledge in both directions, challenging the traditional one-way flow from the Global North to the Global South. Through this, we aim to create meaningful, lasting connections that elevate global discourse and foster mutual growth.
The Catamaran Model – A Metaphor for Global Engagement
The Catamaran Model is a fitting metaphor for LSR’s approach to internationalization. Much like a catamaran’s design enables it to navigate shifting waters with agility, our model emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and resilience in global academic engagement. It is not a one-way current but a reciprocal exchange, where LSR’s intellectual capital flows both outward and inward, shaping and being shaped by the world’s academic currents. This model ensures that LSR’s contributions are not merely reactive but are resilient, transformative, and grounded in the belief that ideas should not be confined to traditional academic boundaries.
Global Partnerships and Initiatives
Our vision is brought to life through ongoing collaborations with esteemed institutions around the world, including:
- Barnard College (New York)
- Bryn Mawr College (Pennsylvania)
- Georgetown University (Washington D.C.)
- La Trobe University (Australia)
- NUS Singapore (Singapore)
- Sciences Po (Paris)
- Middlebury College (USA)
- Fukuoka University (Japan)
- Macquarie University (Australia)
- Ontario in India Programme (Canada)
Some of these partnerships have continued through the tumultuous Covid times. These partnerships are not just about student mobility; they involve joint research projects, collaborative seminars, guest lectures, and short-term courses that broaden our academic offerings. Our international programs are designed to create a two-way flow of ideas, fostering an environment where knowledge exchange thrives.
Innovative Programs and Global Engagement
In addition to traditional academic exchanges, the Office of International Programmes at LSR hosts a variety of initiatives to deepen global engagement:
- Asian Undergraduate Summit 2021: In collaboration with the National University of Singapore, we hosted an online summit that brought together students from across Asia to engage in meaningful dialogue.
- Online International Conferences: Adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pivoted to create digital spaces for academic exchange, ensuring that international collaboration remained robust and ongoing.
These initiatives exemplify our commitment to innovative, resilient, and transformative global engagement.
A Commitment to Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange
At LSR, we do not merely send our scholars abroad—we ensure that their ideas return enriched, further enhancing the intellectual life of our institution. Our models—B.R.I.D.G.E. and the Catamaran Model—serve as blueprints for a future where LSR plays a pivotal role in reshaping global academic discourse. Through these frameworks, we are building lasting, transformative international partnerships that foster reciprocal knowledge exchange and redefine the boundaries of academia.
The journey of global engagement at LSR is ongoing. By embracing the values of the B.R.I.D.G.E. and Catamaran Models, we continue to extend our intellectual horizons while strengthening our roots in the local context. The Office of International Programmes is dedicated to ensuring that every step we take in this journey contributes to the future of global academia, fostering collaboration, creativity, and critical thought across borders.
OIP Team
Faculty- Ms. Bhawana Sharma Jha, Dr Shatarupa Bhattacharya, Dr Jonathan Verghese, Ms. Deepika Papneja & Ms. Asmita Jataria
Office Support- Mr. Sanjay Mishra
Student Coordinators (2025-26)- Sanjana Erla (B.A. Philosophy, 3rd year), Anwesha Mukherjee (B.A. Political Science, 3rd year), Ritika Pandey (B.A. English, 3rd year), Kritika Sharma (B.A. Journalism, 2nd year), Nazmin Fathima (B.A. Economics, 2nd year), Ruhi Ahuja (B.A. Political Science, 2nd year)