JHU Delegation Visits India in November 2024
During the week of November 17th 2024, a Johns Hopkins University (JHU) delegation traveled across four cities in India, announcing significant university investments in programs aligned with India’s national priorities. These initiatives focus on accelerating tuberculosis elimination, advancing gender equality in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine), and expanding palliative care access in rural communities.
- The TB-Free Schools Initiative aims to combat tuberculosis among children by scaling up innovative screening, treatment, and prevention programs across three states.
- The Women in STEMM Fellowship, launched under the US-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, will mentor 40 early-career women scientists, fostering leadership and innovation in STEMM fields.
- In partnership with Bharat Biotech, JHU has established the Ella PhD Scholarship in International Health, supporting cutting-edge research in global vaccine science.
- Through its collaboration with the Ajit Isaac Foundation, JHU is expanding palliative care services in underserved rural areas, ensuring compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill patients.
Highlights from Each City
New Delhi
The New Delhi leg of Johns Hopkins University's visit on November 18 featured key initiatives, including the launch of the *Women in STEMM Fellowship* to promote gender equity in science and the *TB Free Schools in India* program, focused on AI-driven tuberculosis detection in schools. Discussions at the India Habitat Centre highlighted transformative health systems, global health partnerships, and behavior change strategies, alongside announcements of new JHU research facilities in Pune and Chennai. The events underscored JHU’s deepening engagement in India, emphasizing innovation, education, and societal impact.
Bengaluru
In Bengaluru, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) showcased its commitment to technology and innovation at the Bangalore Tech Summit, with key contributions from JHU leaders on AI, data science, and sustainable U.S.-India collaborations. The delegation participated in a session at Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) Bengaluru to explore interdisciplinary research opportunities; discussion focused on data-driven health interventions, bioinformatics, and AI in public health.
Pune
The JHU delegation's visit to Pune on November 21-22, 2024, highlighted its commitment to fostering impactful collaborations in healthcare and research. Key engagements included a visit to IISER Pune’s BSL-3 facility and the upcoming CIDI research center site, as well as discussions with Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical University to expand ongoing partnerships. The visit concluded with a symposium on infectious diseases, emphasizing global collaboration and innovation in tackling pressing health challenges.
Mumbai
The Mumbai roundtable, hosted by Johns Hopkins University and partners, focused on philanthropy’s role in driving India’s development towards 2047, exploring innovation, technology, and strategic partnerships to address critical challenges in health, education, and sustainability. Key discussions emphasized collective action and bold approaches to creating an equitable and prosperous future for India. The visit concluded with a farewell dinner, fostering connections among industry, healthcare, and academic leaders to strengthen JHU’s ties with India.