USA (Commonwealth Union)_ According to Dr. Pradeep Haldar, the Indian American director of sustainable business, courtesy faculty, and adjunct professor at the Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida, Tampa, an increasing number of Indian students are showing interest in pursuing graduate courses in sustainability at US universities. According to Dr. Haldar, although interest in India is still in its early stages, there is an expectation of growth in the future. He shared his observation, highlighting the emerging trend.
Patel College has been offering master’s graduate programs for science and arts students for the past decade, with over half a dozen Indian students currently enrolled. According to Dr. Haldar, there is a global surge in interest in sustainability courses, which has already gained momentum in Europe and is now picking up in Asia due to concerns related to climate change and clean energy. Patel College was one of the pioneering institutions in the US to introduce a master’s program in sustainability, addressing the need for practical education in this field.
The college offers two master’s programs, one in the arts and the other in science, attracting students from diverse backgrounds such as communications, marketing, law, history, environmental engineering, and various scientific disciplines. This emerging field provides numerous internship and job opportunities for students, with many securing positions even before completing their studies. Particularly, Indian students have access to employment opportunities during their optional practical training (OPT) period, and they are sought after by companies and government organizations seeking individuals with the appropriate qualifications. STEM students, in particular, benefit from a longer OPT duration.
According to Dr. Haldar, regulations pertaining to sustainability issues are compelling companies to seek out students equipped with practical knowledge in this domain, leading to a growing demand for graduates from Patel College. He emphasized that students gain valuable experience by interning with companies for a couple of semesters as part of their curriculum. Additionally, Dr. Haldar, who also serves as the president of Halovation, a management and technology consulting organization specializing in clean energy, semiconductors, and materials technology, brings more than 30 years of experience in business development, strategic planning, research and development, and public-private partnerships to his role at the college.
Given the University of South Florida’s ability to attract a significant number of Indian students each year, Patel College anticipates a rise in enrollment as well. Dr. Haldar acknowledges that many programs at the university already have a substantial Indian student population. As the importance of the master’s program at Patel College continues to grow for both science and arts students, the college foresees an increasing number of Indian students pursuing sustainability studies as well. Accordingly, Dr. Haldar’s extensive expertise in various fields further strengthens the college’s commitment to providing high-quality education in this dynamic and evolving discipline.
