Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, met with a high-level delegation from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) on November 17, 2024, to explore avenues for deeper academic and research collaboration between India and the prestigious US-based institution. The delegation was led by Mr. Ronald J. Daniels, President of Johns Hopkins University, and included senior officials from the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute, an initiative aimed at fostering partnerships between JHU and Indian institutions through research, policy, education, and practice.
The meeting also saw the participation of Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of External Affairs.
During the discussions, Shri Pradhan highlighted the transformative potential of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) in advancing academic collaborations between Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and global universities like JHU. He commended JHU’s commitment to fostering academic partnerships with Indian institutions, particularly in the areas of dual and joint degree programmes, student and faculty exchange, and collaborative research in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, and other cutting-edge technologies.
Shri Pradhan also emphasized how these collaborations could help drive innovation and entrepreneurship among students in both India and the United States.
A key topic of discussion was the establishment of an offshore campus of Johns Hopkins University in India, which would serve as a significant step in strengthening the ties between Indian and American academic communities. The delegation expressed interest in exploring how such a campus could enhance educational and research opportunities in both countries.
The 12-member delegation included notable academic leaders such as Fritz W. Schroeder, Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations; Alexander Triantis, Dean of the Carey Business School; Judd Walson, Chair of the Department of International Health at the Bloomberg School; Sridevi Sarma, Vice Dean of Graduate Education at the Whiting School of Engineering; and Amita Gupta, Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at JHU, who is also the Co-Founder of GKII.
The delegation’s visit, which is part of a multi-city tour of India, is aimed at strengthening JHU’s operations in India and advancing internationalization efforts in education and research. The visit also includes engagements with Indian academic leaders, government officials, and embassy representatives.
The presence of prominent Indian-origin JHU faculty members, such as Mathuram Santosham, Professor of Paediatrics and International Health, and Chirag Parikh, Professor of Medicine and Director of Nephrology, further underscored the growing importance of India-US educational cooperation.
In conclusion, the discussions reflected a shared vision to enhance academic exchange, promote joint research initiatives, and build stronger ties between India and Johns Hopkins University in the years ahead.
