India explores academic partnerships with Columbia University in AI and advanced technologies

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held discussions with senior faculty from Columbia University on potential academic collaboration, with a focus on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and large language models.

According to Pradhan, the meeting included Columbia Engineering Dean Prof Shih-Fu Chang and members of the university’s academic leadership.

The New York-based private university is exploring partnerships with Indian institutions, particularly in advanced technology and research-driven disciplines.

Welcoming Columbia University’s interest in setting up a Columbia-India Centre for AI in Manufacturing, Pradhan said, “Mutually beneficial collaborations with a global top-40 ranked university like Columbia University will further strengthen India’s capacity in AI, Robotics, MedTech, Manufacturing and Engineering.”

The engagement comes as the Indian government works on a new initiative to attract Indian-origin “star faculty” and researchers currently based overseas to return and work in Indian institutions.

The discussions have gained pace amid concerns surrounding recent policy positions of the Trump administration on higher education in the United States, which critics say could affect academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Officials said the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser has held meetings with the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Biotechnology to shape the proposed scheme.

The plan is aimed at encouraging established Indian-origin scientists and researchers with strong academic credentials to spend a defined period in India to pursue research.

Under the proposal, returning scholars may be offered positions at premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology, leading research laboratories, and autonomous bodies under the DST and DBT.

Officials said a substantial setup grant is being considered to provide financial autonomy and operational flexibility, enabling researchers to establish laboratories and research teams in India.

The IITs have expressed support for the initiative, with several institute directors participating in discussions with the government on the implementation framework.