Niagara University Establishes Academic Partnerships with Universities in India

The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, and Dr. Duleep C. Deosthale, vice president of international relations and the Brennan Center, recently traveled to India to facilitate academic collaborations with several Indian universities.

The visits demonstrated Father Maher's commitment to strengthen Niagara's international presence and prepare students to become global leaders.

"These collaborations will open new horizons for students, fostering cross-cultural understanding and preparing them for the global workforce," said Father Maher.

On Feb. 19, Father Maher and Dr. Deosthale visited De Paul College Mysore, where Father Maher signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its principal, Father Baiju Anthony, C.M., after a colorful ceremony that began with songs sung by a student choir, a dance performance, and the traditional Lighting of the Lamp. More than 600 students, faculty, staff, and members of the press were in attendance.

In addition to establishing a relationship between the two Vincentian institutions, the MoU will facilitate collaborative academic programs and exchange opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, with a specific focus on 2+2 options in Niagara's Holzschuh College of Business Administration and its computer and information sciences program in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Junior Gurustat Makkar is majoring in computer information sciences and finance. He came to Niagara from his hometown of Chandigarh, India, after meeting with Erick Garcia, Niagara's head tennis coach. He said that meeting sparked his interest in the university and, once he arrived, he found "a warm ambiance and a close-knit community" that enabled him to pursue both his academic and athletic goals.

"Niagara's intimate class sizes and devoted professors have profoundly enriched my academic journey," the student-athlete said. "Their unwavering support and patience have been invaluable. Niagara University offers a transformative experience, blending rigorous academics with a vibrant campus life to nurture holistic growth and development. With its commitment to excellence and fostering a supportive community, it's a place where students can truly thrive and realize their full potential."

Niagara University also signed an agreement with the DePaul International Residential School that will enable select high school students to pursue their four-year degree in any discipline at NU. This agreement is part of DePaul's newly framed "Emerging International Scholars Program," that will identify high achievers and create opportunities for them at Niagara University.

Father Maher described the collaboration as the "first step in this relationship-building exercise that will allow students and their parents to feel confident about the quality of education and learning experiences at Niagara University," during a meeting with 40 of the school's students. He noted that the "high-touch nature of the Niagara educational experience" would be a continuation of the DPRIS living and learning environment that he had observed during his visit.

Sophomore Ena Das, a criminology and criminal justice major from Kolkata, West Bengal, can attest to the personal attention students receive at Niagara University. Das wanted to attend college in the United States and chose Niagara because its small class sizes would enable her to get to know her peers and professors. When she arrived, she found a strong sense of community on campus and numerous opportunities for leadership.

Das is a community advisor in her residence hall, promotions co-chair of the NU Campus Programming Board, and treasurer for the Office of Violence Prevention & Education. She gets together with other aspiring lawyers to study for the LSAT each week and said she made her closest friends when she was part of the student government executive board. She said that these experiences are teaching her the skills she will need for success and helping her to become a better version of herself.

"My experience at Niagara is nothing but fantastic," she said. "I love how the faculty and staff are so caring and considerate, and I cherish all the friendships and all the amazing bonds I created over here. I just love being a Purple Eagle!"

Father Maher's visit also included a meeting with Dr. Raman Batra, executive vice president of Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology, to sign an MoU that will create pathways for select students from NIET to explore opportunities at Niagara's Ontario and Lewiston, N.Y., campuses, especially the 2+2 programs in computer and information sciences and the graduate programs in Ontario.

The fourth MoU was with Rayat Bahra University, a private university in Mohali, Punjab. Father Maher and Dr. Parvinder Singh, vice chancellor of RBU, signed an agreement that will enrich the educational experience for RBU students. Under the agreement, following two years of study at RBU, students will complete their degrees at Niagara University in Lewiston. They will then have the option of pursuing their MBA at either Niagara's Lewiston or Vaughan, Ontario, campuses.

While in India, Father Maher also met with officials at the U.S. Embassy and the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. He introduced them to Niagara University, USA and Canada, and provided an overview of its academic programs and its vision to prepare students for leadership roles in a changing global landscape.

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