Rutgers University signs MOUs to collaborate with academic institutions in India

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Three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and two academic institutions in India were signed as part of a seven-day, six-city trade mission led by Governor Phil Murphy to strengthen economic ties and promote business investments in New Jersey.

Two MOUs were signed with the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University (SNDT) and one with the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN).

Rutgers and SNDT will collaborate on scientific research in agricultural, nutrition and food technology innovation and pursue the development of an AgriFood accelerator and incubator programs. The agreement with IITGN will promote student and faculty exchanges between the institutions and collaborative research projects, workshops or conferences, according to a press release.

“Rutgers understands the value of international partnerships in fostering academic and research opportunities in today’s interconnected world,” said S. David Kimball, Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Rutgers University. “We look forward to these alliances with SNDT and IITGN and promoting the advancement of academic, research and educational exchanges that will open new doors for faculty and students at all three institutions.”

IITGN also signed academic exchanges with three other New Jersey universities: Rowan University, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and New Jersey City University (NJCU).

“Globalization is one of the core pillars of IIT Gandhinagar’s educational philosophy. We are excited about partnering with some of New Jersey’s leading public universities to create new opportunities for students and faculty of all our institutions for academic and research collaborations,” said IITGN Director Sudhir Jain.

Pavita Howe, director of the Office of Research and Economic Development’s TechAdvance Fund, represented Rutgers University on the economic mission trip to India as part of the New Jersey delegation that joined Governor Murphy.

“India is a major source of cutting-edge research as well as entrepreneurial creativity, and this business mission was an important first step in developing new relationships that will result in valuable research collaborations and business opportunities,” added Howe.

New Jersey has one of the fastest growing Indian population with nearly 300,000 Indians living in the state according to the Census. The delegation’s mission was to highlight the state’s innovation ecosystem with one of New Jersey’s largest trade and investment partners, cultivate international investment opportunities in the Garden State, and deepen cultural and educational ties between New Jersey and India.

The New Jersey delegation included First Lady Tammy Murphy, Choose New Jersey President and CEO Jose Lozano, New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) CEO Tim Sullivan, and other senior administration, Choose New Jersey officials and representatives from NJIT, Rowan, Princeton University, and New Jersey City University.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 70,000 students and 23,400 full- and part-time faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers locations across New Jersey and around the world.