SNU-CMU FAQ

1. What is the partnership all about?

- Offering students in India the opportunity to be trained in the electrical and computer and
mechanical engineering curriculum at Carnegie Mellon
- Students will have the opportunity to pursue a dual degree program for which the curriculum will
be delivered in part by SNU in Greater Noida, India, and in part by CMU in the United States
- Upon completion of CMUs and SNUs respective requirements, awarding to such students a
CMU Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering or in Mechanical
Engineering and an SNU Bachelor of Technology degree

2. What are the broad areas of cooperation envisaged in the agreement?
CMU and SNU shall establish and operate a dual degree program which shall be called the
Carnegie Mellon Shiv Nadar Program in Engineering (Program), initially consisting of a
Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical
Engineering and may extend to other disciplines.

3. How many students are expected to be admitted to the Program each year?
Given the high academic standards of the Program, there will be stringent selection
benchmarks to ensure that we get students of the highest quality, consistent with the quality of
students typically admitted to the CMU College of Engineering in these disciplines. Classes in
which program students are enrolled during the portion of the Program, which takes place in
India, shall have no greater than 60 students at any time.

4. Will students in any program be travelling to CMU? If yes, then in which semester?
The Program will commence with the fall semester (2013) at SNU in Greater Noida and the
students will be travelling to CMU and taking courses at CMU. Details will be announced in
early 2013.

5. Will this qualification be recognized in India as well as globally?
Yes. The CMU degree is ABET accredited and is globally recognized. ABET is the recognized
accreditor for college and university programs in engineering, computing, applied sciences and
technology in the US.

6. Will the program be accredited by AICTE / UGC in India?
SNU and CMU will ensure that this new program is consistent with our standing accreditation.

7. Are these qualifications relevant to the Indian higher education system and would they allow
students to apply to government institutions for further study?
Yes. The student would receive a SNU as well as a CMU degree.

8. What is the CMU-SNU program differentiator?
This cutting-edge alliance with the Shiv Nadar Foundation and Shiv Nadar University offers
Indias students a new experience in interdisciplinary education.

This is one of the first undergraduate dual-degree programs in the engineering and technology
sector between institutions in India and a top-tier U.S. school.

The collaborative effort will offer the best of both worlds for students to hone problem-solving
skills and participate in innovative research.

The new programs admission and academic processes will have the same rigorous criteria for
all participating students, with degrees being granted by both CMU and SNU.

We have a long, working relationship with the Shiv Nadar Foundation and this new unique
program will continue to solidify our strategic goals.




9. What proportion of the faculty in India would be resident and visiting?
The agreement between CMU and SNU provides that SNU faculty who teach in the Program
will be trained for one or two semesters at CMU but will be resident in India.

10. Where can students obtain an application? What are the significant dates for: Application
submission deadline ii. Shortlist iii. Exam / Selection process iv. Offer v. Course
commencement?
Students can obtain more information from http://www.snu.edu.in

11. What are the minimum eligibility criteria to apply for the program?
SAT score, secondary performance, and other indices of capacity to excel in the program. Non-
native speakers of English need to take TOEFL test.

12. Are there unique scholarship opportunities associated with this program?
SNF shall provide up to fifteen one-semester scholarships per year for non-Program regular
CMU students from CMUs Pittsburgh campus to allow such students to take one semester of
classes at SNU in India. The scholarship shall cover the cost of all expenses of the students
while in India, including tuition, fees and living expenses. The students will be obligated to pay
their own travel costs to and from India.

13. What is the fee structure?
The tuition for all semesters of the Program, whether at CMU in Pittsburgh or SNU in Greater
Noida, will be set at the level of tuition charged at CMU.

14. Where can I obtain more information about the program? Is there a website or a helpline I can
call?
You may visit http://www.snu.edu.in for more details

15. How will you ensure that the program maintains high quality?
- Prior to commencement of the Program and on a regular basis as agreed by SNU and CMU, the
India faculty of the Program shall travel to the CMU campus in Pittsburgh for purposes of Program
training and orientation
- SNU and CMU shall ensure through continuous training that the selected faculty is well prepared to
deliver the India portion of the Program curriculum
- Students will spend 5 or 6 semesters at CMU led by the CMU faculty
Students also get the opportunity to do two internships at locations to be determined.

16. What is unique about this collaboration?
- Dual degree program
- International exposure for students
- CMU designed curriculum
- Blend of best quality national and international faculty
- We are discussing the possibility of doing internships in US. We can follow up with you on more
details later.

17. Do you advocate and support foreign universities being allowed to come into India directly,
without a tie-up or JV as is the case right now?
Yes, I support foreign universities coming into India because we it will give a boost to the higher
education sector, new ideas on higher education management, curriculum, teaching methods, and
research.

18. Why did you choose CMU for this collaboration?
- Carnegie Mellon University is a globally renowned institution in technology education.

- The campus atmosphere offers opportunities to engage in research at the graduate and
undergraduate level.
- Undergrads often work alongside professors who are leaders in their fields, with a student-faculty
ratio of 10:1. Carnegie Mellon has top educators.

- Approximately 96 percent of faculty members in Engineering have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
- Carnegie Mellons alumni are also highly successful and sought out by employers because of their
problem-solving abilities.
- They are unique in their abilities to work at the convergence of technology and the arts. CMUs
alumni have gone on to become Nobel Prize winners, become founders of leading technology
companies, inventors, orchestra conductors, Oscar-winning producers, and much more.
- SNU embodies the same educational philosophies and objectives as CMU and believes that this
partnership will offer students the best of both worlds.
- Shiv Nadar University and Carnegie Mellon University share the same educational philosophies and
objectives and this partnership will offer students the best of the both worlds through global curricula
and pedagogy

19. Will the program also offer financial and placement assistance?
Any and all financial support will be provided by SNF. Students will be eligible for the same
career and professional development services support provided to all students at Carnegie
Mellon.

20. What are the facilities/amenities available for the students in student housing?
CMU will arrange for student housing for Program students while in residence at the CMU
campus and SNF will arrange for hostels for Program students while in residence in India.

21. How will you ensure the training and development of faculty members? How much has been or
will be invested in faculty training?
- Each member of faculty who will be teaching in the India portion of the Program (India Faculty)
shall travel to the CMU campus in Pittsburgh for purposes of Program training and orientation. SNU
and CMU shall ensure, through continuous training, that the selected faculty is best qualified to
deliver the Program curriculum.
- It is expected that the India Faculty will spend at least one whole semester prior to teaching in the
Program in India. In addition, it is expected that the India Faculty will spend at least 2 semesters
during a 6-year period at CMUs Pittsburgh campus.

22. Can you please elaborate on the agreement that has been signed between SNU and CMU?
The agreement is to establish CMU and SNU dual B.S/ B.Tech. degree programs in Electrical
and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering for CMU Shiv Nadar Foundation
Scholars for the period of 10 years starting 2013.

23. What will be the name of the new program built by the SNU-CMU partnership?
CMU SNU dual B.S./B.Tech. degree program

24. When will the program start?
We intend to begin classes in August 2013.

25. Will these engineering degrees be awarded by CMU or by the Shiv Nadar University?
Following successful completion of the Program requirements and subject to all applicable laws
in India/USA, a B.S. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
will be awarded by CMU and a B.Tech. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering or
Mechanical Engineering will be awarded by SNU.

26. Who should students contact for information about securing an I-20, and how long does it take
to process?
Students will work with the CMU undergraduate admissions office to submit the necessary
information for CMUs Office of International Education (OIE) to issue the I-20 Certificate of
Eligibility. The OIE will need information from both the academic department and the incoming
student before an I-20 can be issued. The final authorities for granting visas are US consular
offices.








27. Will arrangements be made to assist students in maintaining their I-20 signature validity given
that they will be spending part of the Program in India and part in the U.S.?
CMUs Office of International Education will provide staff resources to assist Program students
in obtaining United States visas, as necessary, for their entry and residence in the United States
to pursue coursework at CMU. Of course, it must be understood that visas are issued in the
discretion of the United States Government, and CMU is not responsible for the failure of any
Program student to secure or maintain a required visa. Students who are not able to secure and
maintain the required visa shall not be eligible to participate in the Program.

28. How many other international students are there at CMU?
CMU hosts approximately 3,600 international students in F-1 or J -1 status at all of our
campuses and program locations.

29. What international student organizations does CMU have?
46 international student organizations including Indian Graduate Student Association, OM,
Mayur, Deewane A Cappella, SPIC MACAY, Tufaan and Chak De.

30. What is CMUs involvement in the part of the Program that is to be offered in India at SNU? What
is SNUs involvement in the part of the Program that is to be offered in the United States at
CMU?
CMU will select/approve students admitted to this Program, will provide curriculum and course
materials and will train select SNU faculty teaching some courses taken by the Program
students in India

31. Where will classes be held for this Program at the respective campuses? Will there be a separate
physical presence and separate classes for this Program on either campus, or will the students
attend classes with other students who are not part of the program?
In India, classes will be held at SNU in Greater Noida and in the US will be held at the CMU
campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

32. What additional infrastructure will be provided in India and the US including the quality of labs
and other facilities (library, sports infrastructure etc.)?
In India, the infrastructure required to deliver the best outcome for the students will be provided
by SNF. Students coming to Carnegie Mellon will enjoy its facilities and classrooms.

33. If a student is admitted to SNU, will the student be automatically admitted to the CMU portion of
the Program the following year?
Students who are accepted into the dual degree program with CMU and SNU will be accepted
as transfer students to Carnegie Mellon University in year two, as long as they meet the
academic requirements stated in their acceptance letters.

34. What kind of students is the University targeting for this program? Will it target the IIT / A level
institution aspirants?
We are hoping to attract the best and brightest students who are interested in an engineering
education, meeting and exceeding the already highly selective admission standards at Carnegie
Mellon.

35. What will be your student mix? Will there be international students?
While we expect that initially the student body will consist mostly of Indian students we will
aspire to attract engineering students from across the region to this program.

36. Will this undergraduate program be not-for-profit like the other initiatives of the Shiv Nadar
Foundation? Or will it be a for profit program?
This is a not for profit initiative.







37. Would the fee structure be aligned to match that of CMU? If a student cannot afford this
education then how does the Shiv Nadar University plan to help him?
The tuition and fees for the program will be consistent with CMUs current tuition and fee
structure. Deserving students will be provided scholarships and other forms of financial aid by
SNF.

38. If a student has already been accepted at CMU in Pittsburgh, may that student transfer such
admission to this Program?
Students must apply separately to the dual degree program. Transfer into the program after
freshman year at SNU may be possible subject to space availability, meeting admission criteria
and other considerations.

39. Is this program an exclusive partnership between SNU and CMU?
This is a non-exclusive agreement and each of the parties shall be free to establish other
collaborative instructional and /or degree programs in any location with any partner.

40. What is the size of investment this program will require? And who is making the investment to
set up the program; is it the Shiv Nadar University or CMU? How much has the Shiv Nadar
University invested?
The Shiv Nadar Foundation has already invested over $400 million in education initiatives in
India, including establishing the Shiv Nadar University. To meet its vision of creating a global
research-led interdisciplinary University in India, SNF will continue to explore partnerships such
as the CMU-SNU Program with leading global institutions. (Note from CMU: Wed prefer to
concentrate on Carnegie Mellon for this answer.)

41. How will the tuition fee be divided between the two institutions?
Tuition paid by students for study at SNU in India will be retained by SNU. Tuition paid by
students for study at CMU will be retained by CMU.

42. Is the course eligible for securing education loans from Indian Banks / Financial Institutions?
All financing options that are currently available to students in India will be also available to
students in the dual degree program. SNF will work with students to assist them obtain financial
support.

43. What is the kind of financial arrangement between SNU and CMU including the cost
reimbursement to CMU for faculties and curriculum development?
This is a strategic partnership between the two institutions to offer a leading global program in
technology from the top most technology institutions in the world. The fees are established in
the fee structure of the respective institutions.

44. Are there any issues or conflicts with Indias current education policy?
CMU and SNU will work with their respective legal counsel to ensure that this program complies
with all necessary laws and regulations.

45. What is necessary to ensure that the Program is approved by CMUs accrediting body in the US?
What is the lead time for obtaining such approval? What happens if approval is not obtained?
SNU and CMU will ensure that this new program is consistent with our standing accreditations.
.