Rice in the World

India: Driving Sustainable Change

The 2023 launch of the United States-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology underscores India’s significance as a partner in solving some of the most critical challenges of our time.

Rice Engineering’s comprehensive approach to partnering with India, dating back to 2020, focuses on building institutional relationships, faculty collaborations, and student academic exchange — all in the pursuit of innovative, sustainable solutions.

“Our partnerships in India exemplify our commitment to tackling global challenges through interdisciplinary research, faculty engagement, and empowering the next generation of engineers,” said Luay Nakhleh, William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering.

“India’s technological expertise, vibrant academic community, and shared dedication to solving global issues align seamlessly with our mission. Together, we’re driving impactful solutions that transcend borders and pave the way for a more interconnected and sustainable future.”

In 2020, Rice became the first American university to have a physical presence in India. With support from the Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation, Rice and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) launched the Rice-IITK Collaborative Center which focuses on creating sustainable solutions that address the global energy demand.

Two years later, the center developed the Rice-IITK Strategic Collaboration Awards program, which funds joint faculty research projects. This significant step deepened the partnership, signifying mutual investment in collaborative research and a pathway to accelerate it. In 2023, Rice and IITK faculty groups received funding for their joint projects which take on global challenges such as climate change, urban infrastructure, health care and food insecurity.

Further expanding its collaborative network in India, Rice Engineering partnered with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, hosting its inaugural Joint International Workshop on Energy and Sustainability with nearly 100 participants. Additionally, in Nov. 2023, Rice announced a strategic collaboration agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, fostering joint research ventures and industry engagements on data science, energy and materials.

Alongside institutional relationships and faculty collaborations, student academic exchange including the Mehta Rice Engineering Speaker Series and the Mehta Rice Engineering Scholars Program places students at the center of research. The quarterly speaker series brings together students across engineering disciplines from both Rice and Indian institutions. Through the scholars program, established in 2023, Rice hosts students from Indian universities on campus and provides research and mentorship opportunities. The students’ work is already contributing to advancements in wireless communication, machine learning algorithms, and more efficient drug delivery systems.