The Directorate of International Relations and Higher Studies (IR&HS), hosted the honourable delegates from the US Consulate General, Hyderabad, in its ongoing efforts to strengthen international academic, research collaborations and cultural engagement.

The delegation, headed by Consul General Ms Laura Williams, consisted of Mr Senthil Kumar, Public Engagement Specialist, Ms Meredith Petzler, Political and Economic Chief, Mr Abdulrahman Habeeb, Public Diplomacy Officer, Mr Siba Tripathy, Political and Economic Specialist, Mr Suniel Kumar, Commercial Advisor, Mr Srimali, Political Specialist and Mr Abdul Samad, Public Diplomacy Officer from the US Consulate General Hyderabad.

The delegation was welcomed by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Dean – Academic Affairs Dr Vinayak Kalluri, Director – IR&HS Mr Lakshmi Narasimhan, Director – Entrepreneurship & Innovation Mr Srinivasan Thirumalai, deans, administrators, and faculty members of the university.

Prof. Ch Satish Kumar briefed the delegation on the university’s academic ecosystem, research initiatives, global partnerships, and its vision for internationalisation. He shared a summary overview on SRM AP’s existing partnerships with premier US universities such as Carnegie Mellon University and University of California-Berkeley for academic collaboration, student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research initiatives and curriculum enhancement.

Prof. Satish Kumar addressed the university’s integral role in flagship government initiatives such as Green Hydrogen Valley Project and Quantum Valley Project briefing the delegates on SRM AP’s ambitious plan to establish a Quantum Reference Centre, housing its own Quantum Computer in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Ms Laura Williams, Consul General appreciated the stellar progress of the university in research and innovation, noting its strong alignment with Andhra Pradesh’s unique position as the confluence of technology and diplomacy. She commended the university leadership and management for integrating a multifaceted perspective to administration and fostering a holistic educational ecosystem.

The delegation toured key academic and research facilities, gaining first-hand exposure to the university’ infrastructure and innovation-driven learning environment. The visit concluded with both sides expressing keen interest in exploring sustainable institutional collaborations in the future.