Purdue in tie-ups with firms

Purdue University is initiating a programme with companies and technical institutions in India for research on product development and training.

Purdue University president Martin C Jischke, who is in India on a visit, said the institute had tied up with pharmaceuticals company Eli Lily for the programme.

"We see a good resource pool in India and want to collaborate with Indian private firms and institutes for research development. We have started a programme with Harvard School of Public Control, Central Disease Control and Eli Lily for training and product development and are in talks with many other companies," Jischke said.

The university will particularly look into the development of cyclocyrin drug, which is imported by countries like India, China and Russia.

The university has also signed deals with Manipal University and Shasun Chemicals for manpower training.

The university is looking at enhancing ties with its Indian students. Jischke, who is one of the first president of the university visiting India, said India could be a great source of intellectual capital for the US, which could face a talent crisis in some years.

"We are looking at attracting bright students who could contribute to research and development in social sciences," he said.

The university is persuading the US government to ease visa norms to allow more foreign students to visit the country.

"Post 9/11, stricter visa norms led to unintended consequences for the students community. The government is now working on faster and efficient visa processes for international students and this will help universities," Jishcke said.

It is also building a strong alumni base and conducted three meets in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi. "We have nearly 300-400 Indians in our faculty," he said.