Arizona State University expands footprint in India, mulls to set up AI-driven 'Agentic' University

Arizona State University (ASU) is deepening its engagement in India through strategic partnerships with universities and exploring the establishment of an advanced, AI-powered "agentic" university in the country, ASU President Michael M. Crow recently said.

Crow highlighted ASU’s collaboration with five Indian institutions — Chitkara University (Punjab), Shiv Nadar University (Greater Noida), Anurag University (Hyderabad), RV University (Bengaluru), and Rajalakshmi Engineering College (Chennai), in an interview with news agency PTI. The university aims to expand this network to 10 institutions, offering Indian students access to dual-degree programs and cutting-edge digital learning resources.

"Our goal is to provide honor students in India with simultaneous exposure to American and Indian educational pedagogies through ASU’s digital learning repository," Crow said.

"Many of these students will have the opportunity to complete a dual-degree program at ASU in the US" he added.

Commenting on India’s New Education Policy (NEP) and revised University Grants Commission (UGC) norms that allow foreign universities to establish campuses in the country, Crow said ASU is evaluating the possibility of launching a next-generation, AI-enhanced "agentic" university in India.

"This institution would leverage the advanced educational technologies ASU has developed over the past 15 years," he noted.

While ASU has not yet confirmed plans for a standalone campus, Crow reiterated the university’s commitment to expanding its presence in India through technology-driven learning.

With nearly 7,000 Indian students currently enrolled at its US campus — making India ASU’s largest source of international students — the university is also engaging thousands more through ASU-affiliated centers in India.

"Our partner institutions in India benefit from cutting-edge digital learning platforms, innovative teaching methodologies, and AI-driven tutoring systems for STEM education," Crow explained. "Our approach is to provide high-performing Indian students with world-class education at an affordable cost while ensuring seamless transition opportunities to ASU in the US" he said.

Addressing the broader education landscape, Crow emphasized the importance of a diverse and flexible education system that bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.

"In the US, every student — whether studying engineering or any other discipline — must take courses in history, politics, and the arts," he said. "This ensures they become well-rounded individuals capable of adapting to societal and technological changes."

Crow acknowledged India’s "unbelievable progress" in education over the past 75 years but stressed the need for greater research output and innovation.

He also reaffirmed ASU’s belief in the growing ties between India and the U.S., citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on education and technology-driven development.

"As the world’s two largest democracies, India and the U.S. are natural partners in education and innovation," Crow stated. "By strengthening collaborations, we can drive progress for both nations."

ASU’s expanding presence in India reflects a broader trend of increasing US-India educational partnerships, positioning the university as a key player in shaping the future of higher education in the country, he said.