VCU Business hosts Christ University delegation, exploring new opportunities for expanded partnerships across VCU
The 12-person delegation spent one week in Richmond discussing faculty exchanges, research collaboration and guest lectures across several departments at both institutions.
By Sarah Murphy
This past month marked two significant milestones for Jeanne Poulose M.T., Ph.D.
It was her inaugural trip to the United States from Delhi, India, and her first time meeting in person with colleagues at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Poulose was part of a delegation of 12 academic and administrative leaders from Christ (Deemed to be University) who traveled from Christ University (CU) campuses across India to spend one week in Richmond, Va.
Between Feb. 27 and March 6, 2025, the delegation—the largest in the partnership’s 15-year history—met with faculty and administrators across VCU, discussing opportunities for faculty exchanges, research collaboration, guest lectures and more.
For Poulose, an associate professor and dean at Christ University in Delhi, the visit also revealed the deep connections and collaborative power shared by the two institutions, transcending geographical boundaries.
“Everything has been new, but what stood out most was how many similarities there are between VCU and Christ University, rather than differences, such as in student engagement, alumni relations and career development,” said Poulose.
Decades of collaboration
The partnership between VCU and Christ University—which has six campuses across India—was first initiated in 2010, thanks to the efforts of VCU School of Business faculty members Nanda Rangan, Ph.D., Van Wood, Ph.D., and David Urban, Ph.D.
The academic leaders created a “1+1 Master’s Program” between the two universities, giving international students the opportunity to study in two different countries.
The VCU-CU 1+1 has been extremely successful, graduating nearly 700 students from the program. VCU’s involvement with Christ University has since expanded outside the business school to include university leadership and other academic departments, such as the VCU College of Engineering.
“The School of Business still has the strongest recruitment ties to CU and has gradually made significant increases in recruitment and student quality,” said Emory Gunn, manager of international initiatives at the School of Business.
The winter 2025 Christ University delegation visit aimed to take that partnership even further, exploring new areas of possible collaboration outside the School of Business and renewing the commitment between the two institutions.
One week in Richmond
Delegation leader Jyothi Kumar, Ph.D., has come to VCU at least five times as part of other CU delegation visits. But this time was different.
“In the past, delegations mostly included members from the School of Business or senior leadership like registrars and controllers,” said Kumar, professor and dean at the Bangalore-Bannerghatta Road campus of Christ University.
“This is the first time we have such diversity, including representatives from sciences, arts and humanities.”
During their week-long stay in Richmond, the CU delegates met with VCU faculty in business, humanities (communications), arts, physics, applied sciences and mathematics. They worked closely with faculty affairs, including senior vice provost of faculty affairs Mangala Subramaniam, Ph.D., and met with VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., who showed his enthusiasm for strengthening the partnerships between institutions.
“[The Christ University partnership] is a real model of international relationship,” said Rao in his meeting with the delegation. “There’s so much we can do together when we have the same values.”
“For me, one highlight was visiting the music department at the performing arts unit,” said Bhavani Subramanian, Ph.D., associate professor of English and associate dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, Bangalore Central campus.
“It was a pleasure to visit the concert halls, auditoriums and classrooms … I took away so many ideas. I also had the chance to attend a choir practice led by Dr. Chris Hansen at an old church that is now a concert hall. That was the most blissful experience of my visit.”
The delegation also took trips off campus to Colonial Williamsburg and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, taking every opportunity to immerse themselves in Virginia culture.
“Overall, the visit was a great success,” said Gunn. “CU was able to really increase visibility beyond VCU Business, connecting with other parts of campus and opening the door to a truly collaborative, global partnership between our two universities.”
Keeping the connection from across the globe
Less than a month after the delegation’s departure, plans for future collaboration between VCU and CU are already taking shape.
Bosco Paul Alapatt, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science and associate dean of sciences at the Christ University Delhi campus, said he initially came to Richmond with research ideas in mind but was unsure how to combine efforts with VCU.
“Meeting Dr. Preetam Ghosh and Dr. Paul Brooks gave us a clear direction,” said Alapatt. “We’ve planned steps to align research areas and move forward with specific projects.”
Alapatt’s campus is hosting two international conferences in the next two years, and he already invited Ghosh and Brooks to attend as keynote speakers.
Kumar expressed her interest in faculty exchanges, joint research projects and co-publications, thanking Dr. Nanda Rangan for his continued efforts in managing the VCU-CU partnership.
“[Rangan’s] continued efforts—through visits, discussions and outreach—have kept this collaboration alive and growing. Every partnership needs a catalyst, and he has played that role for us.”
She also encouraged more VCU students to study abroad at Christ University, solidifying the sustainable, two-way partnership.
“This visit has been incredibly enriching, and we truly appreciate the hospitality,” said Kumar.
“Every year, we send around 40 students to VCU, and they always have wonderful experiences. We’re excited to continue strengthening this partnership in the future.”
Learn more about the VCU and Christ University partnerships, including the 1+1 CU MBA and VCU specialized master’s degree on the VCU Business international programs website.
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