NYU and IIT Kanpur Forge Strategic Partnership to Expand Collaborative Research Initiatives
NYU President Linda G. Mills and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur Director Abhay Karandikar today announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding for NYU and IIT Kanpur to engage in joint research on critical areas (such as cybersecurity and AI), substantially expand doctoral exchange programs, and share teaching and research strategies.
The agreement comes amidst the backdrop of US President Joe Biden’s visit to India for the G20 summit as well as the Association of American Universities’ recent push to expand US/India university partnerships. The agreement also marks an exciting new opportunity for NYU to advance its widely-recognized and respected agenda of global engagement, and it is emblematic of India’s efforts, led by Director Karandikar, to elevate the country’s research enterprise through expanded international collaborations.
President Biden and Prime Minister Modi noted the agreement in their official joint statement, expressing their support for the partnership among other academic collaborations
The new agreement between the universities also contemplates a joint research center, to be developed and located at IIT Kanpur, where scholars and researchers from the two institutions can work together on pressing, critical, and emerging areas of research in science and technology, such as cybersecurity, the pursuit of next generation wireless, and AI.
President Mills said, “This is great news! I am so delighted for NYU to enter into this agreement with IIT Kanpur. It comes as the conditions are just right and the moment is just right—a time when cooperation and joint efforts between our countries’ top institutions are so very welcome. We share a belief that our research is greatly enhanced by developing relationships such as this, in turn providing fantastic new opportunities for our scholars, researchers, and students. Engaging globally, working together to advance science and tech—this is where NYU’s future lies. Congratulations are in order all around.”
Director Karandikar said, “This agreement represents a significant milestone in our collaboration. It not only enhances ties between our institutions but also broadens the way for fostering the next generation of researchers and innovators. Our commitment to sharing teaching and research strategies underscores our dedication to excellence in academia. I look forward to the transformative impact our collaboration will have on addressing challenges in some of the critical & emerging technologies.”
Jelena Kovačević, Dean of NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, said, “International academic partnerships are a key aspect to scientific innovation. By expanding our relationship, between IIT Kanpur and NYU Tandon, we will work together to create safer cyber networks, take a responsible approach to AI’s applications while advancing its underlying technologies, and chart the path to next generation wireless communications.”
US Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, who traveled to India earlier this year to urge more economic and research partnerships between the two countries, said, “A strong U.S.-India relationship is a must for technology advancement, educational enhancement, cultural exchange and increased economic growth for both countries. I applaud NYU, as one of our leading research institutions and a trailblazer in building international relationships, for engaging in this effort which will ensure that New York remains at the cutting edge in the development of new technologies, from AI to quantum computing to next generation wireless.”
Tandon and IIT Kanpur have an existing dual degree program for doctoral students in electrical and computer engineering. This agreement will expand the dual degree program into many more disciplines, provide for many more student exchanges, and potentially enable the two universities to serve as Study Away sites for one another.