Led by Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, a USC Viterbi delegation visited India to meet with school constituencies, strengthen existing relationships and explore new partnerships in this dynamic subcontinent. The delegation, which included Vice Dean for Globalization Cauligi Raghavendra, Viterbi India Director Sudha Kumar and USC India Director Kamal Chadha, visited Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. During the trip, several corporate, university and alumni events took place, culminating with the inaugural meeting of the Viterbi India Board in Bangalore (see related story).
The USC team explored new corporate partnerships with Tata Consulting Services, Lockheed Martin, Hero corporation and other entities. Team members also visited the Indian Department of Renewable Energy in Delhi to discuss renewable energy and potential areas of collaboration with Viterbi faculty. In Delhi, USC Viterbi entered into a formal partnership with BITS Pilani, one of India's oldest and most prestigious private engineering schools.
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Dean Yortsos and Vice Chancellor Bijendra Nath Jain after signing the MoU, December 11, 2012 |
BITS MoU, L-R, Dean Yortsos, Dr. Suman Kapur, Vice Chancellor Bijendra Nath Jain, Vice Dean Raghavendra |
BITS Pilani Vice Chancellor and his delegation with the USC Viterbi Delegation led by Dean Yortsos, December 11, 2012 |
While in Delhi, the team was hosted by Viterbi parents and supporters Vijay Srivastava and J.K. Srivastava.
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Traditional Indian welcome to the Srivastava family home, December 12, 2012 |
Visit to the Srivastava family home in Delhi, December 12, 2012 |
Dean Yortsos and J.K. Srivastava in the Srivastava home on December 12, 2012 |
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Kumar Mangalam Birla with Dean Yortsos |
The team then visited in Mumbai BITS’ chancellor Kumar Mangalam Birla and his team and proceeded with outlining the next steps in the collaboration.
In its early years, BITS benefited from a Ford Foundation Grant and was developed in association with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It has now grown to be a respected name in technical education in India and is based in Pilani, Rajasthan, India with campuses in Dubai, Goa and Hyderabad. It maintains strong industry relationships in India.
Alumni and parent events were held in Delhi and Bangalore, attracting about 100 enthusiastic Viterbi supporters. At each event, Dean Yortsos presented recent advances in the school and plans for the future. The events reaffirmed the growing presence of USC Viterbi in India; the school's strong network of alumni and friends; and the increased globalization of engineering challenges.
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Dean Yortsos with Parents and Alumni, Bangalore Alumni/Parent Reception December 15, 2012 |
Bangalore Alumni with Kamal Chadha, USC India Director |
Bangalore Alumni/Parent Reception, December 15, 2012 – Listening to Dean Yortsos |
