Hands‑on learning attracted Madhav to Mid Sweden University
Mid Sweden University has launched a new collaboration with Indian universities and welcomes Madhav Balaji Munde from Shivaji University, India, as an exchange student in the Sustainable Materials for Energy Storage course within the Master’s Programme in Engineering Physics.
Madhav Balaji Munde explains that the opportunity to study in Sweden and at Mid Sweden University appealed to him because the education here combines theory with practical work and provides access to advanced laboratories.
“In India, the focus is more on theoretical knowledge and access to equipment is more limited. Here I can both use instruments and learn how they work in practice, which gives me a broader understanding of the subject,” says Madhav Balaji Munde.
He also appreciates the teaching style and the smaller class sizes, which allow for more direct interaction with teachers:
“The lessons are longer and go more in-depth, and we use the Canvas learning platform where all course information is available. Here I have learned many practical skills related to equipment and lab environments. I have access to instruments and gain more fundamental knowledge of how they work.”
A valuable experience
Madhav’s academic interests include sustainable materials, nanotechnology, energy storage, and environmental applications, which align closely with the research being conducted at Mid Sweden University. He sees the exchange as a valuable experience for the future:
“I will return with more practical knowledge of laboratory work and instruments, which will be a great asset for further studies and future work, both in India and internationally.”
He would also recommend other Indian students to apply to Mid Sweden University:
“Here we get to work practically with theoretical knowledge and see how research is connected to real-world needs and problems.”
Bilateral agreements
The exchange is made possible through recently signed bilateral agreements between Shivaji University, among other Indian universities, and Mid Sweden University - aimed at facilitating mobility for both students and faculty and opening new opportunities for collaboration. Alongside the exchange programme, joint research initiatives are already underway in areas such as hydrogen production, electromagnetic shielding, and supercapacitors for paper electrodes, supported by Mid Sweden University’s Strategic Partnership Funds for collaboration with Indian higher education institutions.