U of M India Center
Overview
The Minnesota State Legislature in 2007 appropriated funds to establish an India Center at the University of Minnesota. The bill was sponsored by Representative Eric Paulsen and Senator Satveer Chaudhary (link to the full text of the bill). The Office of International Programs has been given the lead role for India Center planning.
Current News
February 2008: University of Minnesota Submits Report to Legislature
The University of Minnesota submitted a report to the Legislature on the progress of the India Center Exploratory Committee. (Download the report in PDF form.)
Nov. 7, 2007: University of Minnesota Creates India Center Exploratory Committee
Following on the success of Governor Tim Pawlenty’s recent trip to India and supported with appropriations from the Minnesota Legislature and funding from the University of Minnesota, the Office of International Programs will explore the creation of a center focusing on India and its geographical neighbors. Initiated with legislation by Representative Eric Paulsen and Senator Satveer Chaudhary, the India Center is envisioned to serve as a builder of bridges between the University and the state of Minnesota and various academic, intellectual, cultural, and business interests in South Asia.
Many meetings and discussions have already occurred on campus and with local Indian business and cultural leaders. Now an exploratory committee—composed of University of Minnesota faculty and staff and members of the greater Minnesota community—will investigate further the feasibility, impact, and sustainability of such a center. Sudha Shetty, J.D., will chair the committee in addition to her current position as director of the Humphrey Institute’s International Fellowship Program. Shetty has extensive experience with program development within the United States and India.
The exploratory process will continue through January 2008, at which point a range of options will be identified through consultation with an advisory group of University and community stakeholders.
Exploratory Committee Members
- Ned Mohan, School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Samuel Maheswaran, School of Veterinary Medicine
- Dr.Jasjit Ahluwalia, School of Public Health
- Raj Suryananrayanan, College of Pharmacy
- Mansur Ahmad, School of Dentistry
- Srilata Zaheer, Carlson School of Management
- Rashne Jehangir, College of Education and Human Development
- Mercy Das, EEOC - Hennepin County
- Ananya Chatterjea, College of Liberal Arts
- Ameeta Kelekar, Lab Med/Pathology Department
- Manjunan Ghanaratnam, community member
- Mani Subramani, Carlson School of Management
- Dr. Kumar Belani, School of Public Health
- Adeel Lari, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
- Shashi Shekar, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
- Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, Minnesota State Senator
- Anand Tripathi, Department of Computer Science and Engineering