University of Illinois delegation discusses academic partnership with JNTUA

A high-level delegation from the University of Illinois visited JNTU-Anantapur on Thursday and discussed establishing a long-term, multidimensional academic partnership and continuing the discussions held earlier.

The high-level delegation included University of Illinois (UIS) Chancellor Janet Gooch, UIS Advisor to the President, UIS professor Debashish Datta and Ranjan Karri. The meeting was held under the leadership of JNTUA Vice-Chancellor H. Sudarsana Rao.

Mr. Sudarsana Rao emphasized the increasing importance of international collaborations in higher education and how students will benefit from this mutual cooperation between the two universities. He emphasized the urgent need to design industry-ready curriculums and increase employability of students. Highlighting collaboration with the University of Illinois on cutting-edge technologies, he said the partnership with a leading American university will benefit both students and faculty through academic exchange and matching programs.

The Vice Chancellor also stated that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh is rapidly turning into a hub of advanced technologies and quantum technologies is one of them. He instructed university officials to finalize the framework of this strategic, mutually beneficial and multi-dimensional partnership with the University of Illinois as soon as possible. A joint declaration to this effect was signed on the same day.

Meanwhile, the meeting was chaired by university registrar Krishnaiah. A detailed overview of JNTUA was presented, highlighting the university’s academic strengths, infrastructure and research capabilities.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Janet Gooch expressed confidence that the collaboration with JNTUA will gain momentum soon. He reiterated that steps will be initiated to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and all methods will be worked out with a steering committee. He thanked JNTUA officials for their hospitality.

A. Suresh Babu, JNTUA’s director of admissions and external affairs, coordinated the meeting and college professor Bhanumurthy proposed the vote of thanks. All administrators and coordinators of the university attended the meeting.