Cornell University, a U.S.-based research institution, has come forward to establish collaboration with Alagappa University as part of the latter’s initiatives under ‘RUSA 2.0’ (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan), a Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) scheme.
Anthony G. Hay, Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, visited Alagappa University in Karaikudi on Monday and met its Vice-Chancellor N. Rajendran and explained the possible areas of collaboration.
Briefing the visiting dignitary about various modern facilities available for research, Mr. Rajendran pointed out that it was the only State university sanctioned ₹100 crore under the MHRD scheme.
Alagappa University signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Cornell University on March 19 to promote research cooperation for advancement of scientific research and technological development after MHRD signed MoAs with 13 top U.S. universities to facilitate international academic exchange and encourage collaborative research activities, he said.
Cornell University was one among the 13 universities in the U.S. identified by the MHRD for research collaboration, the Vice-Chancellor said adding that the academic visitor had extensively worked in the fields of environment toxicology, microbiology and soil-crop sciences. His projects were mostly involved in pharmaceutical and personal care products.
In an interactive session with various heads of departments, Prof. Hay highlighted the facilities available for research at Cornell University.
Mr. Hay, who would be at the university till May 22, would discuss research collaboration with the faculty at the Department of Bioinformatics, deliver distinguished lecture at the Science Faculty, and take part in Broad Based Board of Studies (BBOS) of the Department of Bioinformatics, Mr. Rajendran said.
Sanjeev Kumar Singh of Alagappa University had been working with Mr. Hay in the area of structural bioinformatics and bacterial diseases, he added.
H. Gurumallesh Prabu, Registrar, J. Jeyakanthan, Syndicate Member, K. Uthayasuriyan, Controller of Examinations, and V. Balachandran, Finance Officer, were among others present at the session.
