Business and Ethics / Campus Community

Expanding Global Partnerships

Written by Lincoln Vander Veen

December 12, 2022

Group shot in India.
School of Law Dean Tony Varona (l-r) with President Eduardo Peñalver and from Alliance University in India Vice Chancellor Dr. Anubha, PhD, and Director of International Affairs Rajen Chatterjee.

Seattle University signs agreements with four colleges in India. 

Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four higher education institutions in India “to strengthen ties of friendship and to promote cultural, educational and scientific cooperation.”

President Peñalver was joined by School of Law Dean and Professor Tony Varona, Albers Dean and Professor Joseph Phillips, Albers Associate Dean and Professor Madhu Rao and Science and Engineering Dean and Professor Amit Shukla in India at the invitation of Jindal Global University, an existing international partner of SU’s School of Law.

“Signing these Memoranda of Understanding is just the first step in a process of building people-to-people relationships that will elevate the reputation of Seattle University in India, as well as create opportunities for students and faculty to engage with one another, both in India and on the Seattle University campus,” explains Peñalver. “Over time, we hope these agreements will also attract talented Indian students to study here. The enthusiastic reaction to these memoranda, both at the partner institutions and in the Indian press, has been extremely encouraging.”

More than nine percent of SU undergraduate students and 19 percent of graduate students are from outside the United States. Increasing that global imprint pays dividends for all, especially students and faculty.

The MOU's signed by SU were co-signed by four institutions in India: Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation, ATLAS SkillTech, Loyola Institutions and RV University. Each MOU includes these specific elements:

  • Joint research activities, publications and library exchanges.
  • Programs for study or service.
  • Exchange of faculty members and students for study, teaching and research.
  • Exchange of invitations to scholars to participate in conference, lectures and seminars.

The MOUs will remain in effect for at least five years or will be replaced sooner with binding agreements between the institutions around research, publication and exchange.

Several Indian publications covered the visit including The Hindu.com and Chennai Views.