Yale University and Ashoka University has announced an expansion of their ongoing collaboration. The new MoU reaffirms collaboration between Yale and Ashoka and establishes a framework to jointly develop opportunities through faculty-initiated and faculty-directed teaching and research activities.
The announcement acknowledges a relationship between the universities built over the past five years grounded in research, teaching, and mentorship. During this time, Yale and Ashoka faculty, administrators, and alumni have engaged in a wide range of initiatives where Yale has contributed to advising and shaping Ashoka’s curriculum and infrastructure in admissions, development, student affairs and faculty affairs.
As part of the framework, an existing Yale-Ashoka faculty committee will work to strengthen this relationship and explore opportunities for visiting faculty, visiting students, and joint research and publications.
Yale and Ashoka will also explore innovative opportunities for student experiences in India and develop new models for research and teaching on the liberal arts and sciences within India.
The Yale linkages to Ashoka have been a vital element of Yale’s engagement with India through its Yale India Initiative, the Yale South Asian Studies Council, and other research and teaching activities.
The MoU was signed by Yale University President Peter Salovey and Ashoka University Vice Chancellor Rudrangshu Mukherjee.
Some of the linkages and activities between the two universities include Ashoka’s Center for Political Data which is advised by faculty and scholars from Yale. Also Yale Ph.D. graduates are members of the Ashoka faculty.
Ashoka Study Abroad has established the Ashoka@Yale Summer Programme for its students with Yale Summer Session for Ashoka students who want to study in New Haven.
Looking ahead, Yale and Ashoka faculty are in discussion on visiting appointments for Yale faculty; hosting Yale Summer Session course at Ashoka; hosting Yale courses and study trips at Ashoka; staging conferences and workshops such as the Yale Modern South Asia Workshop at Ashoka; and supporting the recruitment of Ashoka faculty from Yale’s Ph.D. students.