Banaras Hindu University and Oslo Metropolitan University held discussions on Thursday to explore potential areas of academic collaboration between the two premier institutions of India and Norway. A delegation from Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), currently on a ten-day visit to Varanasi, called on Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi at the Central Registry. The delegation comprised Prof. Knut Aukland, Prof. Filip Rasmussen, and sixteen students from OsloMet. The discussions covered multiple aspects of bilateral collaboration, including student and faculty exchange programs, joint research projects, and cross-cultural academic initiatives.
The Vice-Chancellor underlined BHU’s commitment to enhancing its global presence through partnerships with renowned institutions. He emphasized that possible areas of cooperation should be identified and explored to create opportunities for BHU students to grow academically and professionally. Prof. Chaturvedi also interacted with the visiting students, who shared their experiences. He remarked that India is known for its unity in diversity, and BHU truly reflects the spirit of India.
Prof. Knut informed the Vice-Chancellor that OsloMet and BHU have been engaged in various academic activities for the past over two decades and that the two institutions have much to share with each other, given their diversity in academic disciplines, rich legacy, and institutional strengths. He expressed his university’s interest in formalizing collaboration with BHU so that both teachers and students benefit mutually. He also mentioned that OsloMet would consider a fee waiver for BHU students who wish to visit and study there.
Prof. Jyoti Rohilla Rana, Head of the Department of History of Art, highlighted that OsloMet has a very strong Faculty of Art and Technology, which offers significant scope for collaboration with her department. She also noted that the Faculty of Education at OsloMet is among its key strengths and suggested that students of Education from both universities could benefit greatly from each other’s expertise.
Dr. Praveen Rana from the Department of Tourism Management has been instrumental in coordinating the visit and facilitating dialogue between the two universities. He mentioned that over the past 25 years, sixteen OsloMet delegations have visited BHU, and it is now time for a formal understanding to take shape to further strengthen this long-standing relationship.
Prof. Rajesh Singh, Coordinator (International Collaborations), and Dr. Anil Kumar Singh from the Department of Tourism Management were also present during the meeting.
Earlier in the day, the Department of History of Art and Tourism Management hosted India–Norway Color Interface 2025, aimed at fostering cultural and academic exchange between the two nations. Students from OsloMet and BHU participated enthusiastically, sharing their insights and exploring diverse cultural perspectives.
