American Study Centre at OP-JGU.
OP Jindal Global University Establishes Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies with $5 Million Endowment: Sonipat, India – June 30, 2025 – OP Jindal Global University (JGU) has announced a significant stride in fostering academic and diplomatic ties between India and the United States with the establishment of the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies (MJIAS). This ambitious initiative has been made possible through a substantial 5 million USD (approximately ₹44 crores) endowment from US-based venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Asha Jadeja Motwani, and the Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation.
This endowment stands as one of the largest single contributions to JGU, marking a significant and strategic investment in the field of American Studies within India. The Institute bears the distinguished name of the late Professor Rajeev Motwani, a revered computer scientist at Stanford University and a seminal mentor to the founders of Google. MJIAS is envisioned as both a tribute to his enduring legacy and a testament to Asha Jadeja Motwani’s profound commitment to advancing education, fostering innovation, and strengthening India-US cooperation.
Speaking at the launch of MJIAS, Asha Jadeja Motwani articulated her vision for the institute: “The establishment of the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies at JGU reflects my deep belief in the power of education to shape global narratives and foster enduring partnerships. At a time of great global transformation, it is vital for India and the United States to invest in the next generation of scholars, thinkers, and leaders who can build bridges of understanding, cooperation, and innovation. I am honoured to support this visionary initiative and proud to partner with JGU in creating a world-class institution for American Studies in India.” Her statement underscores the strategic importance of academic collaboration in navigating a rapidly changing global landscape.
The core vision and mission of MJIAS are ambitious: to emerge as a globally recognized center of excellence for research, teaching, and policy engagement related to the United States, simultaneously deepening India-US relations and contributing meaningfully to broader global conversations.
To achieve these goals, MJIAS’s mission encompasses several key objectives. These include promoting rigorous interdisciplinary research spanning US politics, law, economy, culture, and technology. The institute also aims to facilitate robust collaboration among Indian and American academic institutions, leading think tanks, and civil society organizations. Furthermore, MJIAS is committed to enhancing public understanding of US global leadership and its innovation ecosystems, supporting comparative legal and constitutional scholarship, fostering faculty and student exchanges between the two nations, and cultivating future leaders who will play pivotal roles in India-US affairs.
Beyond its academic pursuits, the strategic partnership underpinning MJIAS will also extend to practical collaborations. Plans include the establishment of a tech-innovation hub, an India-US Policy consultation forum to address bilateral issues, an India-US youth forum to engage younger generations, and a Global Challenges forum to tackle shared international concerns. The institute will also undertake various studies and reports and launch socio-cultural mobility initiatives, alongside developing global indices to further advance the bilateral interests of India and the United States.
Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU and President of MJIAS, expressed profound gratitude for the endowment. “This historic endowment marks a defining moment for JGU. The Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies will be a powerful bridge between India and the United States. We are grateful to Ms. Asha Jadeja Motwani for her visionary philanthropy and belief in the power of education to shape global futures,” he stated. He also drew a parallel to JGU’s own origins, noting, “JGU was founded through the philanthropic initiative of our founding Chancellor and benefactor, Mr. Naveen Jindal. I am most delighted to recognise that this vision and imagination are being further expanded and deepened by the leadership of global philanthropic leaders such as Ms. Asha Jadeja Motwani.”
The establishment of MJIAS represents a significant commitment to advanced scholarship and bilateral relations, promising to be a key institutional pillar in strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the United States.
