Ashoka University Partners with Penn Engineering for Enhanced Academic Collaboration
Strengthening Ties Between Ashoka University and Penn Engineering
Ashoka University has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Engineering) in the United States. This agreement aims to foster collaborative research and facilitate academic mobility for both students and faculty in cutting-edge fields of science and technology, as well as interdisciplinary education. This partnership represents a significant step forward in the ongoing relationship between the two institutions, broadening their collaboration into new research, teaching, and innovation areas.
The agreement outlines various collaborative efforts to enhance academic and research interactions. These initiatives include the exchange of faculty, researchers, and students for joint academic and research projects, sharing of scholarly resources, and the development of collaborative research programs in areas of shared interest.
To realize these objectives, both universities will encourage academic mobility by inviting faculty and researchers to engage in collaborative projects at the partner institution and by hosting graduate and undergraduate students for short-term study or research experiences. Additionally, the partnership will support the organization of joint symposia, conferences, and workshops focused on emerging research topics, as well as collaborative research projects and the exchange of academic resources and data in agreed-upon fields. These initiatives are designed to create a sustainable and dynamic platform for global knowledge generation and innovation.
In conjunction with this institutional collaboration, the universities have launched a ‘Four Plus One’ (4+1) academic pathway. This program allows exceptional undergraduates from Ashoka University to pursue accelerated master’s degrees at Penn Engineering upon acceptance. Under this arrangement, eligible Ashoka students can transfer up to three approved undergraduate courses towards their master’s degree at Penn, enabling them to complete their degree in a shorter timeframe.
Students interested in the 4+1 program can submit their applications after their sixth semester, but no later than their final semester at Ashoka University. Candidates must be nominated internally by Ashoka and meet all academic and testing criteria set by Penn Engineering. Admission decisions will be made solely by Penn Engineering, and accepted students will complete the remainder of their degree as full-time residents at Penn, gaining access to state-of-the-art laboratories, research facilities, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Professor Boon Thau Loo, RCA Chair Professor in Computer and Information Science and Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Global Initiatives at Penn Engineering, remarked, “The new 4+1 pathway and opportunities for joint research will integrate Ashoka’s talented students and faculty into Penn Engineering’s dynamic research environment. We are eager to welcome Ashoka students to Penn and to continue fostering partnerships that advance global scientific discovery.