The University will launch an India Advisory Council in March to increase outreach and generate alumni support in the region, said Vice President for International Affairs Matthew Gutmann.
The council's purposes include attracting alumni support, establishing new faculty research collaborations, raising Brown's visibility and encouraging collaboration with foundations and institutions abroad, Gutmann said. The University has already formed China, Asia and East Asia Advisory Councils.
The council will also make suggestions to the University on admissions, Gutmann said, adding that council members will be able to advise the University on how to better attract incoming international students from different regions, countries and schools.
Another key goal of the advisory council will be to publicize Brown's work in areas such as global health, the environment and liberal education for undergraduate students, Gutmann said.
The new council will be comprised primarily of leaders in their fields who are Brown alumni or parents of Brown students, Gutmann said. These are "people who know the country or region," he said, adding that they will be able to "put us in touch with people in government, business and academics."
The inaugural meeting of the India Advisory Council, for which President Ruth Simmons will be traveling to India, will take place during spring break, according to Gutmann. This first meeting will address the council's general goals, including "where we should be in terms of admissions, faculty collaborations and working with the government," he added.
Further meetings will most likely take place annually and be chaired by a council member from India as well as faculty and administrative officials, Gutmann said.
While no concrete plans have been made for the formation of additional regional advisory councils, the University is potentially interested in expanding in key areas such as Latin America, Gutmann said.
