Brandeis and India - Connections at Brandeis

From new research collaborations to award-winning exhibitions, Brandeis has seen a rapid growth in programs and curricular initiatives focused on India. Use the links at the right to locate resources and connections.

study abroadPrograms
Curricular, Research and Partnership Initiatives
The Women’s Studies Research Center (WSRC) hosted an exhibition of contemporary Indian women's art that challenges social oppression and gender discrimination, and provides new models for the empowerment of women. The WSRC also co-hosted a number of related events, including an Indian filmmaker’s series, a two-day seminar, and a visit by the artists to campus. In addition, the WSRC took a cultural trip to Northern India in the spring. A major catalogue and viewers' guide accompanied the exhibition.
Supported by a Global Brandeis Fund seed grant, Prof. Bulbul Chakraborty explored a potential partnership with the new Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), specifically the campus in Kolkata. Chakraborty also secured a National Science Foundation (NSF) planning grant for a research collaboration with scientists in Mumbai and Bangalore.
A preliminary trip was made to Delhi and Mumbai to meet with alumni, parents, potential partners, business contacts, and schools where Brandeis has strong relationships. The trip began to model a comprehensive approach to strengthening Brandeis connections to India in a number of related academic, enrollment, and university advancement areas.
According to the Institute of International Education, over 2,000 students studied abroad in India in 2006-2007, an increase of 20% over the previous year. Interest at Brandeis is also seeing some growth. On his visit to Delhi, Dan Terris met with Brandeis students Hannah Chalew ’09 and Evelyn Lagnado ’09. Both were having very positive experiences in the School for International Training’s program on art and culture. The Brandeis Office of Study Abroad plans a site visit to India in spring 2009.
Following the trip to India, the Office of Global Affairs hosted 11 mid-career Masters students from TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute, http://www.teriin.org/) located in Delhi, India. Led by R.K. Pachauri (who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), TERI is one of the world's premier research institutions in environment, energy, and development studies. The students took modules taught by Brandeis faculty in coexistence & conflict and sustainable international development.

Sponsored by the Asia Society chapter in Mumbai, Prof. Singh gave two visiting lectures: “Ethnicity, Religion and Gender in Muslim Women's Narratives from Pakistan and Bangladesh” in conversation with author Sonia Falerio; and “Corbusier's City, Chandigarh: The Space of Citizenship, Culture, and Country” in conversation with architect Rupali Gupte. She also continued to reach out to Brandeis alumni, parents and friends in the area.

20 new students from India entered IBS to pursue graduate degrees in global business and finance.

Following a pilot year, the new interdisciplinary academic program offers a minor course of study on various topics in South Asian culture, literature, sociology, religion, and diasporic studies.

Dr. Jassal is a visiting professor in Anthropology and South Asian Studies. Jassal’s forthcoming book, Unearthing Gender, focuses on the oral, folk and narrative traditions of castes and communities of North India. Her researches combine historical, anthropological and socio-legal perspectives. Dr. Jassal has taught Anthropology at Columbia University, at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and at the American University in Washington, D.C. Between 2003-2005, Dr. Jassal was Visiting Fellow at the Truman Institute for Peace, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Dr. Jassal delivered a public lecture, “Women as Producers: Culture and Agriculture in North India” on September 18, and she teaches the fall course “Gender and Development: Perspectives from South Asia.”

Following Prof. Jassal's lecture, the OGA hosted an informal gathering of current students from India, as well as those interested in the overall initiative.

After a successful first visit in April, Terris and Singh met with alumni, parents, and friends in November to discuss future plans of the Brandeis-India Initiative.
Faculty Research and Connections
  • Bulbul Chakraborty (Physics)
    condensed matter theorist; National Science Foundation (NSF) research collaborations with Indian scientists in Bangalore and Mumbai on Statistical Mechanics of Granular Materials 
Student initiatives
Alumni and friend connections