As global education trends increasingly turn toward transnational partnerships, Rutgers University is setting its sights on India to strengthen academic and research collaborations. In an interview with The PIE NewsRutgers’ Chief Academic Officer, Prabhas Moghe, outlined the university’s expanding vision for student mobility, research cooperation, and innovation exchange with Indian institutions.

Founded more than a decade before American independence, Rutgers University now serves over 70,000 students and employs 5,000 faculty members. With its standing as a leading public research university in New Jersey, Rutgers is now looking to expand its international footprint, particularly in India. “We have a small presence in India right now which I want to grow,” Moghe said, adding that while student exchanges with Europe are robust, India remains underexplored.

Rutgers has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru to collaborate on areas like artificial intelligence, sustainability, and biomedical sciences. Moghe emphasized that partnerships with Indian universities can help bolster research infrastructure on both sides. “Together, we can produce more and solve problems more effectively,” he noted, especially in tackling societal challenges where student involvement in research becomes a transformative experience.

While some American universities are considering establishing branch campuses in India, Rutgers does not currently plan to follow that path. Instead, it is focusing on collaborative programs and joint research efforts. Moghe stressed that building innovation ecosystems, like the one Rutgers is developing in New Jersey with co-located companies and startup incubators, could be a model for Indian institutions as well.

Addressing the growing interest among Indian students in fields like information science, AI, and machine learning, Moghe acknowledged the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence. He noted that at Rutgers, AI is seen as a tool for learning rather than a threat. Professors encourage students to use AI critically and reflect on its limitations as part of the learning process.

Despite recent setbacks in U.S. higher education policy under the Trump administration, such as visa restrictions, enrollment caps, and reduced federal funding, Rutgers remains optimistic. Moghe admitted these challenges have caused a sharp decline in international student interest, particularly at the postgraduate level, but believes in the resilience of institutions and the importance of continuing meaningful academic work.

As Rutgers strengthens ties with Indian academia and builds joint university-industry consortia, the focus is clear: collaboration that transcends borders and benefits both nations through shared knowledge, innovation, and educational opportunity.