Strengthening India-US Partnerships

2Johns Hopkins University’s recent engagements with senior Indian government leaders marked a significant step in strengthening its nearly century-old partnership with India. These meetings underscore the shared commitment to advancing education, healthcare, and research collaborations that have historically shaped impactful initiatives—from family planning programs in the 1960s to groundbreaking vaccine research in recent years.

The discussions focused on aligning Johns Hopkins’ global expertise with India’s national priorities under the transformative framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the country’s vision for global healthcare leadership. By building on this rich legacy, JHU aims to catalyze innovation, foster knowledge exchange, and create sustainable solutions for pressing challenges in both nations.

Government Meetings

Hon’ble Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

On November 17, 2024, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) delegation led by President Ronald J. Daniels, met with Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss transformative opportunities enabled by India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The discussion centered on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through dual and joint degree programs, student and faculty exchanges, and advanced research in data science, artificial intelligence, and futuristic technologies.

The minister welcomed JHU’s commitment to partnering with top Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and encouraged steps towards collaborative research excellence. The delegation also met with Mr. K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education.

Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava

On November 19, 2024, a JHU delegation comprising Mathuram Santosham, Somesh Kumar, Uttara Bharat Kumar, Bushra Sabri, and Meghashish Sharma met with Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, and other senior officials.

The discussions revolved around Human Resources for Health (HRH) training programs, Master Trainer Networks to facilitate peer learning and capacity building for nursing, paramedical, and allied health professionals. These initiatives align with India’s “Skilling for the Globe” vision, emphasizing global standards for healthcare professionals. Additionally, JHU’s expertise in digital health and artificial intelligence emerged as a critical area for collaboration, driving innovation in India’s healthcare transformation.

Hon’ble U.S. Ambassador to India Mr. Eric Garcetti

On November 18, 2024, the delegation met with Hon’ble US Ambassador to India Mr. Eric Garcetti during a joint launch event for JHU-led “Women in STEMM” fellowship program. The ambassador commended JHU’s role in fostering global partnerships and reiterated U.S. support for initiatives that advance shared goals in education and healthcare.

Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) Mr. M. Jagadesh Kumar

Mr. M. Jagadesh Kumar joined the JHU delegation for an event on November 18, 2024, where he was a speaker on a panel discussion focused on higher education collaboration between India and the U.S. Discussions included the potential for UGC to facilitate seamless partnerships and streamline regulatory processes.

Secretary of University Grants Commission (UGC). Ms. Archana Thakur 

On November 19, 2024, a JHU delegation comprising Sridevi Sarma, Hedy Alavi, Supriya Munshaw and Siddharth Mohite met with Ms. Archana Thakur, Joint Secretary at the University Grants Commission (UGC), to discuss opportunities for collaboration aligned with India’s higher education priorities. Key areas of discussion included expanding student and faculty exchanges, launching joint degree programs, and fostering research collaborations between JHU and Indian institutions.

Ms. Thakur highlighted UGC’s role in ensuring the quality of higher education across India and suggested involving the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or Washington, D.C., to streamline collaborations. The delegation showcased successful initiatives like the Whiting School of Engineering’s Dean’s Fellowship Program, which awards 20% of fellowships to Indian students, and ongoing partnerships with Indian institutions like Ashoka University, Vellore Institute of Technology, and the Indian School of Business.

As a next step, JHU will submit detailed proposals for its academic initiatives to UGC, paving the way for formalized collaborations and enhanced visibility of JHU’s offerings to Indian students.

Meeting with the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Rajiv Bahl

On November 20, 2024, the delegation members met with Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The discussions revolved around integrating JHU’s research strengths with India’s health research priorities. The discussion highlighted areas such as infectious disease research, vaccine development, and health systems innovation. 

The JHU delegation, which included Mathuram Santosham, Nadia Hansel, Amita Gupta, Judd Walson, Chirag Parikh, Kunal Pal, and Heath Elliot, explored ways to synergize their expertise with ICMR’s mission to advance healthcare outcomes for India’s diverse population.

Partnership Meetings with Academic and Research Institutions

The JHU delegation also engaged with leading academic and research institutions to explore synergies in advancing education and healthcare. These discussions emphasized shared goals in research innovation, curriculum development, and global academic exchange programs. Among the institutes engaged in these meetings were IIT Delhi; Ashoka University; Shiv Nadar University; Plaksha University; Amity University; IISc Bangalore; Christ University, Bangalore; Symbiosis Pune; DY Patil, Pune; VIT, Vellore; AIIMS Delhi; IIT Chennai; Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai; Max Hospital, Mumbai; Birla Institute of Technology; IIT Madras; and VIT Bangalore.

The JHU delegation’s visit reinforces the growing strategic partnership between India and the US in education, research, policy and practice. Stay tuned for more updates as JHU and its Gupta-Klinsky India Institute continue to build transformative collaborations with India’s government and academic institutions.