Rutgers University Expands Strategic Partnerships and Academic Ties with India
Rutgers University Strengthens Academic and Research Partnerships with India
PC: The Jopwell Collection/ Unsplash
June 2025 | New Delhi : In a strong move to deepen its global academic footprint, Rutgers University is expanding its engagement with India through a range of strategic partnerships, collaborative research initiatives, and student exchange programs. The expansion is part of the university’s broader vision to internationalize its academic portfolio and foster high-impact global collaborations.
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Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in the United States, is focusing on India as a key partner in education and innovation. With over 70,000 students and 5,000 faculty members, the university sees India as a critical hub for academic mobility, research development, and industry-academic partnerships.
Speaking to The PIE News, Prabhas Moghe, Rutgers’ chief academic officer, emphasized the importance of building meaningful transnational education models. “Our global goals include expanding student mobility, internationalizing education, and co-developing solutions to global challenges. India plays a central role in that vision,” said Moghe.
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Strengthening Academic Partnerships
In March 2025, a Rutgers delegation visited Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Pune, meeting with top-tier academic and research institutions. The university signed significant agreements with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru. These collaborations focus on cutting-edge fields including AI, quantum technologies, biomedical sciences, and sustainable innovation.
“American research universities like Rutgers can help strengthen Indian institutions’ research infrastructure while also benefiting from the intellectual exchange,” Moghe noted. “Collaboration allows both sides to solve problems more effectively and produce impactful research.”
MoUs and Innovation Hubs
Rutgers also signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT) in Chennai to advance innovation in deep tech sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. The partnership is aimed at fostering joint research, academic collaboration, and startup incubation across both countries.
Beyond research, the university is exploring joint PhD programs, faculty exchanges, and co-funded projects that can support innovation ecosystems in both the U.S. and India.
Boosting Student Mobility
A key goal for Rutgers is to enhance academic exchange between Indian and American students. Currently, few Rutgers students choose India for study abroad opportunities, but the university aims to change that. New short-term programs, dual-degree pathways, and summer research initiatives are in development to encourage student mobility.
“One of our priorities is to expose Indian students to U.S. labs early in their academic journey, especially those aspiring for PhDs. It helps build global competence and prepares them for rigorous research environments,” Moghe explained.
Building on the Rutgers India Initiative
Since launching the Rutgers India Initiative in 2013, the university has consistently worked to strengthen academic and community ties with India. The initiative has supported faculty exchanges, research partnerships, and outreach to the Indian-American diaspora. It also hosts colloquia on India and collaborates with South Asia-focused research centers.
Additionally, Rutgers has partnered with the Institute of International Education (IIE) to co-host the U.S.-India Higher Education Thought Leadership Series. This platform brings together leading voices in academia and policy to explore bilateral education models and policy innovation.
Looking Ahead
As more U.S. universities turn to India amid changing political dynamics in international education, Rutgers remains focused on long-term, mutually beneficial engagement. While it has no plans for an India campus, its strategy is rooted in collaborative knowledge exchange rather than physical expansion.
“Building campuses is one thing, but transferring ideas, research know-how, and creating impact through partnerships that’s where the real value lies,” Moghe said.
Despite concerns over recent U.S. immigration policy shifts under the Trump administration including restrictions on OPT and international student enrolment Rutgers is determined to stay the course. “There’s still important work to do,” Moghe concluded. “Even in challenging times, our academic mission must go on and partnerships like those in India are key to that future.”
