Rutgers University is expanding its global reach through strategic collaborations in India, with an aim to strengthen educational partnerships, promote research innovation, enhance opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, and attract international students to join our University. A delegation organized by Rutgers Global led an extensive visit to South India late last year, connecting with prominent institutions in Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Pune. We were joined by our partner organization in India, Institute of International Education (IIE)–India. The visit reaffirmed Rutgers’ commitment to building robust academic, research, and industry connections with one of the world’s fastest-growing educational hubs.
The Rutgers delegation included Smita Thakker-Varia, Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Doreen Badheka, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience at New Jersey Medical School, Rick Garfunkel, Vice President for Global Affairs, Mohini Mukherjee, Executive Director of International Student Services, Kim Pernice, Associate Director of Partnerships from Rutgers Global, and Vivek Mansukhani, Head of IIE – India. The team engaged with key stakeholders from some of India’s top universities, government officials, and industry leaders.
“The Rutgers delegation to South India was an intentional visit with a robust itinerary. We were pleased to have the opportunity to create new collaborations and strengthen existing ties with our colleagues at institutions in Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Pune,” remarked Rick Garfunkel.
Building Bridges in Research and Innovation
A key focus of the visit was to strengthen ties with leading Indian institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) in Chennai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. Both institutions are recognized as global powerhouses in engineering, technology, and interdisciplinary research.
At IIT Madras, discussions centered on collaborative research in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, and advanced technologies. Opportunities for joint PhD programs, faculty exchanges, and co-funded pilot projects in biotechnology were explored. With IIT Madras’s increasing focus on innovation through its Sudha & Shankar Innovation Hub, the partnership could open doors to new start-up networks, tech transfer opportunities, and investor partnerships. A tour of IIT-M's state-of-the-art Brain Center focused on high-resolution brain imaging to map the human brain at the cellular and connectivity levels was particularly impressive.
Similarly, IISc Bengaluru stands as a global leader in science and engineering research, and the collaboration discussions centered around IISc’s expanding focus on medical sciences and quantum technologies. The new hospital and medical school launching at IISc next year, along with their strong emphasis on industry partnerships and deep-tech startups, present exciting opportunities for joint research and innovation initiatives. The delegation explored models for student and faculty exchanges, including collaborative PhD programs.
Promoting Student Mobility and Faculty Connections
The trip provided a platform to discuss expanding study abroad opportunities and student mobility programs between Rutgers and Indian institutions. The universities visited offer a rich landscape for collaboration in both undergraduate and graduate programs, especially through short-term programs, summer research opportunities, and dual-degree initiatives. These efforts, coupled with faculty interaction models ranging from three months to a year, are set to create more avenues for Rutgers students and faculty to engage with world-class researchers and gain valuable international experience.
Rutgers faculty could also have opportunities to present their expertise through visiting faculty programs and speaking engagements at key academic and industry events, fostering further exchange of ideas with Indian scholars and industry leaders.
The Road Ahead: Expanding Rutgers' Global Footprint
The Rutgers delegation to South India boasted a full itinerary with visits to the following institutions in Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Pune. Key partners included:
Chennai: IIT-Madras, Anna University, Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT), SRM Institute of Science and Technology, and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
Bengaluru: IISc Bengaluru, Dayanand Sagar University, and Presidency University
Kochi: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Pune: Symbiosis International University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Flame University
Through these visits and collaborations, Rutgers is poised to create lasting partnerships with top educational and research institutions in India, positioning itself as a global leader in fostering cross-cultural exchanges, groundbreaking research, and education-driven innovation. The delegation’s efforts in strengthening academic ties are part of Rutgers’ ongoing mission to expand its global impact, deepen its academic offerings, and provide students with transformative international experiences.
“The partnerships established during this trip will undoubtedly pave the way for a new era of collaboration between Rutgers University and India’s leading institutions, supporting shared academic goals and contributing to the growing body of global knowledge and research,” remarked Mohini Mukherjee.
Here are photos from the trip.