A new partnership that is strengthening ties between Clemson University and India could open new opportunities to collaborate on research and for students and scholars to study abroad.
Clemson has signed a memorandum of understanding with Amrita University in southern India. The nation is the world’s second largest by population with 1.2 billion people and is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
The agreement could lead to new research collaborations and study-abroad opportunities, including exchange programs for students and scholars. It could also mean new service-learning opportunities in India for Clemson students.
Amrita University is one of India’s premiere research and teaching institutions and has been ranked one of the best Indian universities by the Ministry of Education. It is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and has received the council’s highest grade, an “A.”
The partnership was initiated by Anand Gramopadhye, Dean of the College of Engineering and Science. Gramopadhye said the partnership fits with the Grand Challenge Scholars Program. The components are: hands-on project or research experience; interdisciplinary curriculum; entrepreneurship; global dimension; and service learning.
“Our partnership with Amrita hits all the high notes,” Gramopadhye said. “We will focus on electricity, clean water and many of the other challenges the world faces.”
Amrita is increasingly being recognized internationally as an institute of repute, officials said.
The university has established various research centers in areas that correlate with projects at Clemson. Areas that overlap include nanotechnology and energy, health sciences, molecular and nano-medicine, biotechnology and life sciences, wireless networks and applications, robotics and haptics, and learning technologies.
A Clemson team last December visited three of Amrita’s campuses, including a teaching hospital. Those from Clemson included Sharon Nagy, Vice Provost of Global Engagement, and representatives from Clemson’s Civil, Industrial, Mechanical and Bioengineering Departments.
Clemson and Amrita University share the mission to bring about change in all levels of society, both within their local communities and beyond, officials said.
A key part of that mission for the College of Engineering and Science is the Grand Challenges Scholars Program. In a letter to President Obama in March, more than 120 U.S. engineering schools pledged to educate a new generation of engineers equipped to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing society. Dean Gramopadhye was among the signatories.
He also co-hosted ASEE’s Engineering Deans Institute’s annual conference, where the Grand Challenges Scholars Program was one of the centerpiece topics.
Amrita has been successful in taking research from labs to low-resourced communities to improve their standard of living.
Various research centers at Amrita are developing innovative solutions through its program, “Live-in-Labs.” The areas of focus include agriculture, energy, water, sanitation, housing, cooling technologies, communications, free health care, education and skill development.
This outreach program, involving students and faculty from around the world, provides students and researchers an experiential learning opportunity in which they directly interact, observe, and study, while living in rural communities. Students design projects that address problems and implement, test, and eventually demonstrate innovative, affordable, and comprehensive solutions.
If you are interested in learning more about the emerging collaborative projects with Amrita University, the Clemson delegates from the December visit would be happy to share more information with you.
They included Sharon Nagy in the Office of Global Engagement; Melur Ramasubramanian from Mechanical Engineering; Jimmy Martin and Jennifer Ogle from Civil Engineering; Kapil Madathil from Industrial Engineering; and Delphine Dean and Naren Vyavahare from Bioengineering.
