The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and the State University of New York (SUNY) at Old Westbury have entered into a strategic partnership designed to expand academic opportunities and strengthen research collaboration between India and the United States. Announced during a virtual meeting on June 26, the initiative aims to create innovative science and engineering programs while encouraging joint research in emerging technologies.
The announcement was made by IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare and SUNY Old Westbury President Dr. Timothy E. Sams in the presence of India’s Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Higher Education Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, and India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra. The collaboration is expected to establish new educational initiatives at the SUNY Old Westbury campus in Long Island, New York, reinforcing academic ties between the two nations.
A formal letter of intent signed by Prof. Kedare and Dr. Sams outlines plans to develop undergraduate, graduate, and research programs focused on science, engineering, and rapidly evolving fields such as artificial intelligence. The institutions also intend to promote collaborative research projects that address technological advancements and global challenges.
The partnership builds on the efforts of Consul General Binaya S. Pradhan, whose diplomatic initiatives have supported several educational collaborations between India and international institutions. Leaders from both universities emphasized that combining their complementary strengths would create meaningful opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty members.
Prof. Kedare described SUNY Old Westbury as a forward-thinking institution committed to academic excellence, expressing confidence that the collaboration would continue to grow and achieve significant milestones. Dr. Sams echoed those sentiments, highlighting IIT Bombay’s global reputation and stating that the alliance would strengthen teaching, innovation, and research in disciplines including engineering and physics. He also noted the long-term vision of establishing a strong IIT Bombay presence on the SUNY Old Westbury campus.
Initial activities under the agreement are expected to include faculty and researcher exchanges, joint research initiatives, academic conferences, and collaborative symposiums. These efforts will lay the groundwork for future degree programs that will further expand educational opportunities for students in both countries.
Government officials also welcomed the collaboration as an important milestone in India-US educational relations. Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra highlighted the value of deeper partnerships in research and innovation, while Dr. Vineet Joshi described the agreement as a significant advancement in bilateral higher education cooperation. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the initiative would benefit students and educators in both countries while encouraging the development of cutting-edge technologies and preparing future leaders capable of driving global progress.
