UArizona and Amrita University expand collaboration with a dual degree in social work and human rights
In February 2023, the University of Arizona and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (deemed to be University) launched a dual degree program including a Master of Arts in Human Rights from UArizona and a Master of Social Work from Amrita. The new program continues collaboration between the universities, initiated in 2019, to offer globally relevant world-class programs across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
UArizona’s and Amrita’s new collaboration in human rights joins an existing well received dual degree Master’s program in cellular and molecular medicine. The partnership also will enhance Amrita University as a study-abroad site for UArizona students, and vice versa.
The new dual degree program, at the intersection of human rights and social work, underpins the commitment both institutions have to social, economic and cultural development, human rights, social justice, and solving associated problems, including those articulated in the U.N.’s sustainable development goals.
JP Jones, Dean of International Education at UArizona said the match between the universities was perfect. “A key advantage of the human rights online component is that students from India and around the world will join and have the opportunity for comparative international study of these important issues. It also offers opportunity for student exchange and travel to India and Arizona, or any place where faculty or students are from.”
The launch of the new program took place as India hosted the G20 presidency and the Civil Society 20 conference, chaired by Amrita Chancellor Mata Amritanandamayi, focusing on human rights and sustainable development.
Prof. Bhavani Rao, Chairperson of the Amrita’s Department of Social Work at its Amritapuri campus, said “Given the timing of the agreement and the Chancellor’s leadership, this is an opportunity for both institutions to strengthen their already strong connections to the civil society sector worldwide. Our students and faculty will be part of not only the larger conversation between the universities but will also reach the leaders of the G20.”
The programs offered by UArizona and Amrita aim to develop and implement an accessible and affordable platform to transform education from a rigid classroom-based delivery model to a restructured, adaptable student-centric one that will enhance student-faculty engagement and learning outcomes. Most importantly, it creates thinkers and innovators for solving societal problems.
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona was established in 1885 in Tucson, Arizona, and is ranked in the top 1% of universities globally by the Center for World University Rankings (2022). Known for advancing frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships, UArizona has been a part of every planetary mission with NASA and is the fourth most awarded public university by NASA for research. A world leader in research and innovation, UArizona is a Top 20 Public Research Institution, according to the National Science Foundation, and is a leading Research 1 institution with $734 million in annual research expenditures. The university advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships as a member of the Association of American Universities, the 66 leading public and private research universities in the U.S.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (deemed to be University)
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (deemed to be University) is a multi-campus, multi-disciplinary Institution of Eminence accredited by NAAC and ranked the 8th Best Overall University in India by the National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the past three years. The university is spread across five campuses in three states of India—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka—with the institution’s headquarters at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Amrita partners with academic, industry, and governmental institutions across the world to accomplish human-centered, translational, and groundbreaking research. To date, the University has over 500 collaborations from over 200 signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Some of Amrita’s partners include Harvard University, Columbia University, King’s College London, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, VU Amsterdam, the British Geological Society, University of Oxford, Italian National Research Council, Deakin University, and the University of Tokyo.
Amrita is managed by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math. Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is the founder and Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. She is also known as “Amma” to millions around the globe. A world-renowned humanitarian leader, Amma is the guiding light of Amrita. Amma’s words, thoughts, and vision for education and research have shaped the university’s mission and vision.