MSP COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

President Dr. Stan Jensen recently welcomed the founders of M.S. Panwar Community & Technical College (Panwar College) in Solan, Shimla Hills, India, to HFC.

Jensen hosted Panwar College Director/Co-founder Dr. Brijender Singh Panwar and his wife, Lalita, on July 16. HFC faculty/staff members and students were present to learn more about Panwar College, as well as present information to them about HFC and its many programs. This meeting served as a starting point in developing collaborative programs that will benefit both educational institutions and add specific value to the educational experiences of HFC students.

Panwar College was founded 10 years ago. Its mission is the overall development of students by balancing academics and extracurricular activities within an arts infrastructure on campus. The admissions process begins in June and classes begin in July.

Dr. Panwar is a Fulbright Scholarship recipient for the 2014-15 academic year. The title of his Fulbright project is “The U.S. Community College Model: Potential for Application in India.” He earned his Ph.D. in Mass Communications from the University of Hyderabad in India, his graduate degree in English Literature from the University of Delhi in India, and his undergraduate degree in Journalism with a specialization in Development Communications from the Punjab Agricultural University in India. Before going into academics, Dr. Panwar worked in the fields of journalism and public relations.

According to Dr. Lisa Copprue, HFC vice president of Student Affairs, the Panwars are interested in forming partnerships with HFC’s Telecommunication and Fine & Performing Arts programs, given Dr. Panwar’s background.

“They feel established the most in those areas at their college. It should give our students a leg up in terms of international exposure to programs in the arts. This will be a mutually beneficial endeavor between HFC and Panwar College,” said Copprue.