New Delhi, Jun 27: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and the State University of New York (SUNY) Old Westbury to explore collaboration in engineering, multidisciplinary research, technology, and emerging areas of the future, officials said on Saturday.

I welcome the announcement of a Letter of Intent between @iitbombay and @SUNYOldWestbury to explore collaboration in engineering, multidisciplinary research, technology and other emerging areas of the future. I appreciate the virtual participation of Ambassador @AmbVMKwatra,… pic.twitter.com/VsS4Qg8N27

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 26, 2026

In a post on X, Pradhan lauded the initiative, noting the virtual participation of India’s Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, SUNY Old Westbury President Dr Timothy Sams, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare, and Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan. He described the partnership as a step forward in advancing a shared vision for global academic cooperation.

Pradhan emphasised that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places strong emphasis on the internationalisation of Indian higher education and encourages meaningful partnerships between premier Indian institutions and leading global universities. “Such collaborations enrich our research culture, open new avenues for our students, scholars and learners, and build enduring bridges of knowledge to address global challenges while carrying India’s intellectual strengths to the world,” he said.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen IIT Bombay’s global academic footprint and provide opportunities for joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and student mobility. It also aligns with India’s broader push to integrate its higher education system with international standards and foster innovation-driven ecosystems.
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The announcement comes at a time when India has been actively pursuing partnerships with universities worldwide under NEP 2020, with a focus on sustainability, technology, and multidisciplinary learning. The IIT Bombay–SUNY Old Westbury initiative is seen as a significant step in this direction, reinforcing India’s commitment to building globally connected education and research networks.