As a step forward in realising the Joint Declaration of Intent signed between the US and India in January 2015, Duke University will forge a partnership with IIT-Gandhinagar (IITGN) to deepen its higher education collaboration.
A contingent from Duke University will visit the IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) campus for a week from Tuesday, January 5, on partnership and capacity building events.
From January 5-8, a 15-member delegation from Duke and RTI International will work with IITGN faculty and staff to develop new research projects, improve IITGN capacity in critical areas, and discuss potential industry partnerships.
Faculty and students of IITGN and Duke University would meet this week to discuss and initiate collaborative research and private sector partnership.
With funding support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Duke University was selected by IITGN to receive initial support as agreed under the high-level agreement between the two countries.
The two schools immediately found common ground for collaborative research, student exchanges, and joint engagement of private sector partners, an official statement said here.
Larry Carin, Duke’s Vice-Provost for Research, and delegation lead, said, “India is a special place for Duke, as seen in the number of students and alumni we have from India, the research collaborations our faculty have there, and our institutional partnerships across India. We are privileged to work with USAID and RTI International – our longstanding partner in North Carolina – on this initiative with IITGN.”
The events during the week are open to other IITs through simulcast on the IIT-wide video network.
Commenting on the engagement with Duke, Sudhir Jain, Director, IITGN added, “IITGN has carefully approached strategic global partnerships, seeking out like-minded institutions who share our focus on trans-disciplinary learning, student-focused pedagogy, and cutting-edge research that improves our shared community. Duke is exactly that type of partner.”
USAID has provided financial support for the venture. Kathryn D. Stevens, Acting Mission Director, USAID, India, said, “USAID and the IITs have a long history of partnership. After supporting India in establishing IIT-Kanpur in the 1960s, the governments of both the US and India are once again collaborating to build IIT-Gandhinagar into a centre of excellence for science and technology. The power of youth, technology, and innovation defines the US-India relationship and is igniting a partnership that will advance and sustain prosperity in our two countries.”