Rice University has appointed Sreya Ghose as director of partnerships and operations for Rice Global India (RGI), marking a new chapter in the university’s growing presence in one of the world’s most dynamic education and technology hubs.
“Appointing Sreya Ghose as director of Rice Global India is a significant step in advancing Rice’s priorities in India and the world,” said Caroline Levander, Vice President for Global Strategy. “Her deep knowledge of India’s higher education and innovation ecosystems combined with her ability to build meaningful institutional partnerships positions Rice to engage in India at the highest level. With her leadership, Rice Global India will not only accelerate collaborative research and education but also strengthen Rice’s role as a partner of choice in addressing shared global challenges.”
Based in Bengaluru, RGI is the university’s incubator for developing research and innovation partnerships and advancing educational exchange with industries and academic communities throughout India. The office builds on partnerships begun in 2020 with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and expanded in 2023 with strategic agreements with both IITK and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
“I was drawn to this role because it combines two things I’m deeply passionate about — building bridges across cultures and strengthening higher education partnerships,” said Ghose, who had served as a consultant with Rice for several years. “India is such an important hub for research, innovation and talent and Rice has so much to offer and learn through deeper engagement here. Being part of Rice Global India allows me to contribute to shaping that vision.”
RGI’s presence comes at a time of increasing collaboration between the United States and India, particularly in critical and emerging technologies. Through initiatives such as the Rice-IITK Collaborative Center on energy solutions and the developing Rice-IISc partnership, the university has already established strong academic and research ties that Ghose aims to deepen.
“One of the things I’m proud of is how quickly Rice Global India has moved from concept to action,” Ghose said. “We’ve supported faculty in establishing joint research projects, helped advance collaboration agreements, and created opportunities for students to connect with India’s dynamic academic and innovation ecosystems.”
Rice Global India’s mission aligns closely with the university’s recently unveiled strategic plan “Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact,” which emphasizes expanding Rice’s role in addressing global challenges. India’s prominence in energy, climate change, artificial intelligence and biotechnology provides natural synergies with Rice’s research strengths.
“I’m most excited about the long-term possibilities — creating sustained research collaborations, expanding student pathways between Rice and India and positioning Rice as a partner of choice for Indian institutions, industries and policymakers,” Ghose said. “With our new office in Bangalore, we now have a home base in India where we’d love to welcome Rice faculty, students, and alumni.”
With Ghose at the helm, RGI is positioned to expand the university’s impact and visibility in one of the world’s fastest-growing education and technology landscapes. By cultivating partnerships, advancing research collaborations and opening new pathways for students, the initiative aims to secure Rice’s place as a trusted and valued partner in India’s innovation ecosystem.
“I’d like the Rice community to know that I see this work as a collective effort,” she said. “Rice Global India is here to serve the ideas and ambitions of our faculty, students, and alumni. I’m eager to listen, to collaborate and to help translate Rice’s global aspirations into tangible opportunities on the ground in India.”