Key Lies In Managing Diverse Collaborations For Mutual Educational Enrichment: UChicago

How does the University of Chicago plan to enhance awareness of its purpose and mission in India?
The primary objective has been to foster intellectual engagement and exchange between the University of Chicago faculty and their counterparts in India. This initiative has proven successful in social sciences, policymaking, and liberal arts.

I assumed the role of faculty director at the Delhi Centre last year, bringing a background in science and engineering – a first for a faculty director in this discipline. This endeavour is particularly timely, aligning with the planned collaborations between the Indian and US governments, as highlighted in recent statements from the Biden administration. Notably, they emphasise technology in critical emerging areas such as quantum science and technology, wireless energy, and artificial intelligence. However, our goal is to enhance engagement in the sciences without compromising our ongoing efforts in other fields, such as the social sciences and liberal arts.

Can you share how the engagement at the centre has evolved over the past decade, and what is your perception of the changes?
The engagement has increased. I would not say the flavour has changed. The original intent was to enhance interactions, and this has steadily grown over 10 years. The centre is a vibrant place, facilitating many meetings and exchanges between different stakeholders. We have a proposal process for selecting seed projects, typically proposed jointly by UChicago faculty and Indian counterparts. These projects stimulate engagements, leading to successful programs like the Innovation Fellows program run by Professor Anoop Malani. Over the years, it has trained individuals for administrative roles in government agencies, contributing to policy development. Another example is Epic India, spearheaded by Professor Michael Greenstone, focusing on data-driven policy-making in energy and the environment. Notable outcomes include India's first emissions trading for atmospheric particulate contamination in Surat in 2018 or 2019, later expanding to Ahmedabad. These are just a few examples of the impactful involvement of the centre and UChicago faculty.

How has the engagement with students been structured so far, and what changes or enhancements do you plan to introduce in the future?
Students engage through workshops and internship-type projects facilitated by their professors. Looking ahead, my goal is to diversify and enrich this engagement. This includes exploring the possibility of embedding cohorts in courses like technology entrepreneurship, where students can benefit from specialized training. The aim is to provide students with a more immersive and hands-on experience, aligning with the global standards set by our university.

Can you provide specific examples or initiatives that showcase how students have benefited from these centres in the past?
While the current engagement involves workshops and internship projects, we aspire to introduce initiatives that offer students more specialized and in-depth experiences. For instance, considering the success of technology entrepreneurship courses in Chicago, we are exploring ways to integrate students from India into similar programmes. This approach aims to provide students with exposure to cutting-edge knowledge and skills that will contribute to their academic and professional growth.

How do you promote awareness about international university centres in India, considering many people may not be aware of their existence? What strategies or campaigns are employed, and how can students join these centres, considering not everyone can attend the main university?
We do not actively pursue marketing campaigns or aim to increase admissions through traditional means. The centre’s primary objective is to facilitate intellectual exchange and nurture the intellectual community through engagements between faculty and students. While we would welcome more Indian students, that is not the sole purpose of the centre`. We promote awareness through faculty visits, talks, and workshops. For instance, we have a workshop with IIT Bombay in June, focusing on Quantum technologies, where postgraduate students from IIT Bombay will interact with University of Chicago scientists. We let these connections happen organically, in a manner consistent with the collaborative spirit of scientific endeavours. There is no hard sell, and that approach aligns with the nature of scientific collaboration.

How does exposure to international universities contribute to a more global perspective for Indian students and educators?
Exposure to international universities plays a crucial role in shaping a global perspective for both students and educators. Exchanging ideas and understanding different perspectives can have long-lasting consequences, even if not immediately apparent. Drawing from my own experience, volunteering at an international conference during my undergraduate studies exposed me to a world of diverse scientific viewpoints. This exposure influenced my decision to pursue a PhD and an academic career. Similarly, having students from the US come here and vice versa allows for a mutual exchange of knowledge, showcasing the diverse challenges and technical issues in different contexts. This kind of interaction broadens the mind and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of global issues.

Can you share insights into the research projects and collaborations you are currently running with Indian universities?
In the liberal arts, there's significant collaboration on topics related to environmental changes and their consequences. For example, historians and environmentalists are jointly exploring the evolution of the conch shell and its relationship with environmental shifts. In the sciences, we have recently entered into an agreement with IIT Bombay for collaborative work in quantum information sciences and technology. A workshop is scheduled for June, and we anticipate meaningful scientific engagements to emerge from this partnership. Additionally, I have personally been involved in water quality measurement research with Indian scientists, leading to publications and establishing long-term relationships that influence research trajectories in both countries.

Can you elaborate on how collaborations with international universities, such as the one you represent, enhance the quality of education in India? Despite the existing quality of education in India, how can these collaborations further improve it?
The aim is not just to enhance education in India but to achieve mutual enrichment. Collaborations between international and Indian universities bring a wealth of unique experiences, perspectives, and learning methods. For instance, India excels in environmental science, providing a rich ground for research. On the other hand, in advanced areas like wireless and quantum technologies, where the US has made significant progress, India can benefit from shared knowledge and experiences. Workshops like the wireless spectrum management event between the University of Chicago and Indian scientists exemplify this collaboration, crucial for mutual learning given the importance of spectrum sharing. The key lies in effectively managing these interactions, ensuring that diverse experiences lead to mutual enrichment.

After meeting the necessary criteria, is there a possibility of placements for individuals associated with the University of Chicago through the Delhi Centre?
Placement procedures are overseen directly by the university's admissions committee, and not the Delhi centre. Applicants undergo the university's central admissions and evaluation process, which includes considerations for placements.