Chitkara University, RIS-MEA Partner to Advance Global Research and Policy Engagement
Chitkara University has entered into a distinguished academic partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) — an autonomous policy think tank under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. The collaboration was formally established through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for joint research initiatives, high-level policy discussions, and academic contributions in the domains of global development, international trade, and regional cooperation.
The signing ceremony, witnessed the presence of senior representatives from both institutions. Prof. Dhiresh Kulshrestha, Dean – Faculty of Economics, Chitkara Business School, represented Chitkara University during the official proceedings, while the MoU was signed by the Director General of RIS, underlining the strategic significance of this national-level academic partnership.
This collaboration places Chitkara University in an elite group of just 21 premier institutions across India selected by RIS-MEA to work on national and global policy challenges through an academic lens. The association will open new avenues for students, scholars, and faculty at Chitkara University to engage with real-time policy issues, gain exposure to international economic affairs, and contribute meaningfully to India’s role in global governance and diplomacy.
The agreement outlines a broad scope of cooperation, including joint research projects, capacity-building programs, knowledge dissemination platforms, and participation in multilateral development dialogues. The collaboration is expected to foster intellectual exchange, policy innovation, and research-driven contributions that support India’s engagement with developing nations and multilateral institutions.
For Chitkara University, this MoU is not just a recognition of its academic standing but a strategic opportunity to integrate policy research into higher education. It reinforces the university’s commitment to nurturing thought leaders who are not only academically proficient but also globally aware and policy-orientated.
As India strengthens its position in the evolving global order, partnerships like this will play a pivotal role in aligning academic ecosystems with the country’s international development agenda. Through this MoU, Chitkara University reaffirms its vision of bridging academia and policy, ensuring that its students and faculty are active contributors to shaping a more equitable and interconnected world.
