Penn Engineering and Ashoka University Launch New Partnership to Advance Research, Innovation and Graduate Study

The School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Engineering) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ashoka University, a leading Indian liberal arts and research institution, to strengthen academic and research collaborations in engineering, science and interdisciplinary education.

This new agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between Penn and Ashoka. Co-founded by Penn Engineering alumnus Pramath Raj Sinha (GEng’89, GrEng’91), Ashoka first partnered with Penn to create the Global Gateway Program, which enables graduates of Ashoka’s Young India Fellowship to complete a Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) at Penn. Over the past decade, Ashoka and Penn have developed term and summer student exchanges, supported numerous faculty connections and fostered multiple joint scholarly activities.

The new MoU expands this collaboration into engineering and applied science through initiatives that include faculty and researcher exchanges, short-term research residencies for undergraduate and graduate students, joint academic and research programs, co-hosted conferences and workshops, and the exchange of scholarly resources and data. It also introduces a new 4+1 academic pathway, enabling eligible Ashoka undergraduates to pursue an accelerated master’s degree at Penn Engineering if admitted.

“We are delighted to strengthen our engagement with Ashoka University, whose interdisciplinary approach aligns closely with Penn Engineering’s commitment to integrating knowledge across fields,” says Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering. “This partnership opens new avenues for collaborative research and creates meaningful pathways for outstanding students to join Penn Engineering’s graduate programs.”

“The new 4+1 pathway and opportunities for joint research will bring Ashoka’s talented students and faculty into Penn Engineering’s vibrant research ecosystem,” adds Boon Thau Loo, RCA Professor in Computer and Information Science and Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Global Initiatives. “We are excited to welcome Ashoka students to Penn, and to continue building partnerships that support global scientific discovery.”

“We are certain our partnership will strengthen pedagogy in emerging fields such as AI and data science,” says Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University, “while enabling our students and faculty to work in world-class research environments, collaborate with leading global academics and collaboratively develop solutions to pressing issues.”

“Penn and Penn Engineering have been founding partners for Ashoka since the launch of our flagship Young India Fellowship in 2011, with Penn faculty teaching at the YIF for the past 14 years,” notes Sinha, Chairperson of Ashoka’s Board of Trustees. “Now, this partnership enters a new phase, reflecting our shared commitment to advancing excellence in research, teaching and innovation.”

Front row, from left: Boon Thau Loo, RCA Professor, Penn Engineering; Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University. Back row, from left: George Joseph, Special Advisor; K. VijayRaghavan, Chair, Science Advisory Council, Ashoka; Nandini Chatterjee Singh, Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Ashoka; Pramath Raj Sinha, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka; Anurag Agrawal, Dean, BioSciences and Health Research, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka. (Credit: Felice Macera)