Student Mobility
Attract talented students from India to Rutgers and provide opportunities for Rutgers students to study abroad in India, gaining global perspectives and cultural experiences.
India Initiative
Photo: Alumni Reception, Delhi, November 2025
Vision
Rutgers University has launched a holistic strategy to deepen the university's engagement with India. Building on our long-standing academic, cultural, and scholarly ties, the India Initiative strengthens existing partnerships, cultivates new collaborations, and supports meaningful, mutually beneficial engagement across research, innovation, and academic exchange.
Rutgers’ India Initiative is strengthened through our partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE), including an India-based representative who supports Rutgers’ visibility, collaborations, and on-the-ground engagement across the region.
Why India?
Rutgers has a strong and growing Indian community of students, scholars, alumni, faculty, and staff, all of whom contribute significantly to the intellectual and cultural vibrancy of our campuses. India also holds an important place in Rutgers’ global footprint:
- Rutgers hosts over 3000 Indian students and scholars across our campuses. Our faculty across disciplines maintain deep research collaborations with Indian institutions, industry partners, and funding agencies.
- India’s rapid economic growth, technological leadership, and expanding research ecosystem create unique opportunities for joint scholarship, innovation, and impact, particularly in engineering, health, data science, sustainability, social sciences, and the humanities.
- With a vibrant Indian diaspora across New Jersey and the region, Rutgers is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for scholarship, cultural programming, and community engagement tied to India.
- India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020) encourages international collaboration, multidisciplinary education, expanded research partnerships, flexible learning pathways, and global engagement, creating strong alignment with Rutgers’ strengths.
Goals for the India Initiative
In service of the larger overarching university priorities, and in collaboration with our partners across all campuses, we have set the following goals for the India Initiative.
Student Programs
Develop diverse programs including short-term and semester-long study abroad, dual-degree and twinning programs, and experiential or service-learning opportunities.
Research Collaborations
Focus on globally relevant research areas, and facilitate international research at Rutgers while contributing to enhancing research standards and productivity.
Professional and Training Programs
Develop/facilitate short-term training programs that attract students and professionals from India, fostering skill development, cross-cultural exchange, and professional growth.
Rutgers Presence in India
Build a strong and sustainable presence, both physical and reputational, strengthening long-term engagement and partnerships in the region.
Featured News
A delegation from Rutgers University traveled to Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Vellore, and Kolkata in November, meeting with partners, connecting with alumni, and engaging with key organizations resulting in an inspiring and impactful visit to India.
The delegation brought together senior academic and institutional leadership, including deans, key faculty, and administrators from the School of Engineering (SoE), Rutgers Business School (RBS), the School of Social Work (SSW), Rutgers Foundation, and Rutgers Global.
Rutgers University was honored to welcome a distinguished delegation of senior leaders from O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), one of India's top private universities, to the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus on July 22. Led by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, President & Vice Chancellor, and founder of JGU, the group discussed potential collaborations including student and faculty exchanges and dual degree programs. A diverse group of faculty and staff from across Rutgers joined the meeting, including deans and senior faculty from the Rutgers Law School, Rutgers Business School, the School of Engineering, the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, the School of Social Work, and the Bloustein School, as well as key members of enrollment management, and Rutgers Global.
Rutgers delegation fostered academic alliances and strengthened alumni engagement during March visit
In a major step to bolster its global visibility, an institution-wide delegation from Rutgers University visited India in March 2025. The visit marked a strategic push to deepen Rutgers’ engagement with India’s vibrant academic and innovation ecosystem through the exploration of new partnerships, research initiatives, and student mobility programs.
Our Impact
Here are highlights of our engagement for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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Met with over 50 Indian institutions to discuss research collaborations, dual degree programs, faculty and student mobility, and study abroad opportunities. MoU signed with IISc Bangalore. 4 more prospective talks in progress with IIT Madras, UPES, Shiv Nadar University and Symbiosis International University, among others.
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Potential collaborations with Indian corporations, start-ups and ed-tech companies for applied research and executive education collaborations.
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The Thought Leadership Series, APAIE 2025, Rutgers-IIE Global Partners Reception and the Rutgers India Alumni Reception facilitated meaningful discussions and reinforced the Rutgers brand.
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Several advanced discussions are ongoing with institutions like IISc, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, UPES, Shiv Nadar, Symbiosis International University for student exchange and recruitment at all levels including master’s and doctoral study programs.
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Successful engagement and productive discussions with Ministry of Education – Karnataka, Ministry of Education – Haryana, University Grants Commission, the U.S. Embassy in India and others to leverage joint research initiatives.
How to Get Involved & Contact Information
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- Share Your India-Related Work: Let us know about existing collaborations, research, or institutional connections so we can coordinate and amplify efforts.
- Join or Support Delegations: Participate in future Rutgers visits to India or help host visiting scholars, faculty, and partners on campus.
- Collaborate on Academic Programs: Propose ideas for joint research, workshops, short-term programs, exchanges, or dual-degree pathways.
- Explore Student Opportunities: study abroad programs, cultural events, lectures, and India-focused student groups.
- Connect as Alumni & Community Members: Offer mentorship, internships, professional opportunities, or support for cultural and educational programming.
- If You Are Traveling to India: Inform Rutgers Global. We can help curate meetings, institutional visits, talks/lectures, and connect your travel with broader university engagement.
- Subscribe to Rutgers Global Connections newsletter and follow Rutgers Global on social media to stay informed about new partnerships, travel opportunities, and announcements.
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For questions, collaboration ideas, or partnership proposals, please reach out to:
Mohini Mukherjee, Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs: mohinim@global.rutgers.edu
Kim Pernice, Associate Director of Partnerships: kpernice@global.rutgers.edu
Riddhiman Sarkar, Rutgers – IIE India Representative: rsarkar@iie.org
Our Engagement in India: Photos
Be sure to also visit our Flickr page for photo albums of recent delegations to India, as well as visits from our colleagues and partners in India.
