G20Summit 2023: India-America to establish Global Challenges Institute, combined initial commitment of US$10 million

The Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) have signed an MoU to establish the India-U.S. Global Challenges Institute.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India last evening, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States.

The leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU between Indian universities, represented by the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Council), and the Association of American Universities (AAU) to establish the India-U.S. Global Challenges Institute, with a combined initial commitment of at least US$10 million.

The Global Challenges Institute will bring together leading research and higher education institutions from across our two nations, including beyond AAU and IIT membership, to advance new frontiers in science and technology, spanning collaboration in sustainable energy and agriculture, health and pandemic preparedness, semiconductor technology and manufacturing, advanced materials, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum science.

The leaders also welcomed the growing number of multi-institutional collaborative education partnerships, such as those between New York University-Tandon and IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, and the Joint Research Centers of the State University of New York at Buffalo and IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur, and BHU, in the areas of critical and emerging technologies.

Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan wrote on X: “As the #G20Summit gets underway, I'm delighted to share the transformative Joint Statement issued by PM Modi and US President. This statement celebrates our educational collaboration through the India-U.S. Global Challenges Institute and marks a significant milestone in defence innovation through the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).”

“The India-U.S. Global Challenges Institute being set between Indian higher educational institutes and U.S. universities aims to tackle global issues ranging from sustainable energy to pandemic preparedness. INDUS-X will serve as a catalyst for developing the next-generation technology in defence and security by our institutions and startups,” said Education Minister.

He also talked about multi-faceted partnerships like IIT Bombay joining Chicago Quantum Exchange, New York University setting up NYU-Tandon IIT Kanpur Advanced Research Center, State University of NewYork at Buffalo setting up joint research centres in IIT Delhi, Kanpur, Jodhpur and IIT BHU, symbolizes the strength and breadth of the India-U.S. relationship.

Education Minister on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi applauded Indian Higher Education Institutions for being at the forefront of these revolutionary collaborations.

Read more:

• G20 Summit 2023: IIT Bombay forms new collaborative science- tech partnership with UChicago
• G20 Summit 2023: Ukraine returned Indian medical students under scanner, claim students
• Experiential learning will make transform youth from Job Seekers to Job Creators, says Education Minister