The Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN), an initiative by Govt. of India for Higher Education, is intended to tapping the international pool of talented scientists/entrepreneurs with an objective to encourage their engagement with the institutes of Higher Education in India. The initiative is aimed to augment the country's existing academic resources, accelerate the pace of quality reform, and elevate India’s scientific and technological capacity to global excellence
In order to (a) garner the best international experience into our systems of education, (b) enable interaction of students and faculty with the best academic/industry experts from all over the world, and (c) share their experiences and expertise to motivate people to work on Indian problems, there is a need for building up a global academic network. During the "Retreat" of IITs with Minister of Human Resource Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani on 29th June, 2014 at Goa, it was decided that “A system of Guest Lectures by internationally and nationally renowned experts would be evolved along with a comprehensive Faculty Development Program not only for the new IITs, IIMs, IISERs but also other institutions in the country."
IIT Kharagpur is designated as National Coordinating Institute and Group Coordinating Institute for IITs / NITs / IIITs / IIEST; IISC Bangalore is designated the Group Coordinating for IISc / IISERs; JNU for Central and other National / State Universities and Law Schools; and IIM Bangalore for Management Schools.