Latest news with #IllinoisTech
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Once an ace shooter, Nagpur's Shahana now cyber security geek
Nagpur: Precision, discipline, and unwavering focus — traits that once defined Shahana Fatima as an ace air rifle and pistol shooter — are now shaping her journey as a cyber forensic and security expert determined to shield India from the rising threat of cyber warfare . Her family, which is into arms and ammunition business in Nagpur, Shahana's life revolved around a deep respect for national security. What sets her apart is the unique path she chose. After graduating in computer science, she earned top honours and distinction in a master's programme in cyber forensics and security at the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), Chicago. Instead of chasing a lucrative job in the US tech industry, Shahana set her sights on returning to India and use her expertise to the nation's cyber defence systems. "I want to use my skills not for corporate gain, but for the country. There's so much potential to help our security forces defend against cyberattacks, hacking, and such threats," she told TOI. Her commitment was recently affirmed when she was selected as one of seven outstanding students from her university to design and implement a cybersecurity infrastructure for a marketing firm in Kosovo capital, Pristina. "I was the only Indian student chosen for that project. It was a proud moment and a sign that I'm on the right path," she added. Her choice of career was strongly influenced by an unexpected source — Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. "At a college event, Fadnavis sir said something that stayed with me: 'There was a time when nations with fuel reserves were prosperous, but now, those with data reserves will thrive'. That one line pushed me to pursue cyber security," she recalled. Shahana's inspiration doesn't end there. She credits senior IPS officer and Maharashtra's director general of information Brijesh Singh, as a role model in the field. Equally important is her mentor, Rizwan Ahmed, a leading cybersecurity and digital forensics expert, who guided her every step of the way. Her fascination with engineering and innovation runs in the family. Shahana's maternal grandfather, Iqbal Ahmed, holds a Guinness World Record for building the world's smallest steam engine — an achievement that fuels her belief in pushing boundaries. A sportswoman at heart, Shahana still carries the mindset of a shooter — focused, tactical, and resilient. "Cyber forensics is different from general cybersecurity. It involves investigation, legal frameworks, and analysis. It's challenging but deeply rewarding," she said. Looking ahead, Shahana plans to pursue a PhD to sharpen her expertise before returning to India.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Illinois Tech expands to India with Mumbai campus
Illinois Tech University announced on May 6, 2025, that it has received formal approval from India's University Grants Commission (UGC) to open a new campus in Mumbai, making it the first American university authorised to establish a degree-granting campus in India. Set to welcome students in fall 2026, the Mumbai campus will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Business. Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi said, 'Illinois Tech has always operated at the intersection of innovation, opportunity, and global industry demand.' Mallik Sundharam, Vice President for enrollment management and student affairs at Illinois Tech, said, 'In the past five years, we've seen a more than 73 percent increase in graduate students from India choosing Illinois Tech. Our new Mumbai campus responds to this demand by delivering globally recognised, U.S.-accredited degrees in a format that is highly accessible, affordable, and locally contextualised.' According to the University, the Mumbai campus will offer the same experiential, industry-aligned curriculum that defines Illinois Tech's Chicago education. This includes the university's signature Elevate program, which guarantees all students access to hands-on research, internships, and career-accelerating experiences. Courses will be taught by globally recruited faculty, including professors from our Chicago campus. The Mumbai campus will also support cross-campus study options, giving students in both countries the opportunity to gain global exposure, broaden their networks, and participate in research collaborations that reflect the interconnected nature of today's economy. Mr. Echambadi, says, 'The leaders of tomorrow will come from every part of the world—and they will need to collaborate across borders, cultures, and industries. Illinois Tech is proud to be the first U.S. university to open a campus in India. But more importantly, we're ready to shape what global higher education can and should be.'
Economic Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
In a first, Illinois Institute of Technology to launch campus in India
New Delhi: Top-rated tech and research varsity, the Illinois Institute of Technology, is set to become the first US university to set up an India campus under the new UGC regulations while the US universities of Michigan and Purdue are also lining up for a presence here, ET has learnt. ADVERTISEMENT Likely to follow Illinois Tech's entry is the UK's Liverpool University campus in India, officials in the know confirmed to ET. Illinois Tech's India campus is first off the block and will come up in Mumbai next year with undergraduate and graduate courses in high tech fields, cross-campus study options and global classroom experiences besides its renowned 'Elevate' program, it is learnt. While approvals for Liverpool University's India campus are at an advanced stage, developments with respect to a similar campus set up with both Michigan and Purdue universities are also picking pace, ET has learnt.A prominent Australian university could also be headed to India for a standalone campus, it is sources confirmed that its approval processes for a clutch of high ranking foreign universities was in advanced stages. ADVERTISEMENT The entry of Chicago-based Illinois Tech is a major boost to the 'internationalisation' of India's higher education landscape and will bring an array of highly sought after courses to the Tech has already affirmed this week that its Mumbai campus will provide the "same academically rigorous, experiential, and industry-aligned curriculum as the university's Chicago campuses' besides the famed Elevate program, which guarantees all students access to 'real-world experiences' such as internships, research, competitions, and other opportunities. Courses will be delivered by an internationally recruited faculty, including visiting professors from Illinois Tech's US campuses and faculty with global academic credentials. ADVERTISEMENT "In a bold and historic move, Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), Chicago's only tech-focused university, is set to become the first US university to be approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish an independent degree-granting campus in India. Opening in Fall 2026, the new Illinois Tech, Mumbai campus, will offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programmes in high-demand fields such as computer science, engineering, and business", Illinois Tech has announced in Chicago on May 6 even as UGC is yet to announce its final entry of foreign Universities via an Indian campus route comes following the University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations of 2023-a new rulebook aimed at facilitated setting up of India-based campus of top-rated foreign universities. ADVERTISEMENT The UK's University of Southampton was the first foreign University to be granted a letter of intent to set up a full-fledged campus in India under the UGC's Regulations in August 2024. It is expected to start operations this year. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
In a first, Illinois Institute of Technology to launch campus in India
Illinois Institute of Technology will establish a Mumbai campus in 2026. It will offer undergraduate and graduate programs. Other universities like Michigan, Purdue, and Liverpool are also planning campuses in India. The University Grants Commission is in advanced stages of approval. This move will boost India's higher education. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: Top-rated tech and research varsity, the Illinois Institute of Technology , is set to become the first US university to set up an India campus under the new UGC regulations while the US universities of Michigan and Purdue are also lining up for a presence here, ET has to follow Illinois Tech's entry is the UK's Liverpool University campus in India, officials in the know confirmed to Tech's India campus is first off the block and will come up in Mumbai next year with undergraduate and graduate courses in high tech fields, cross-campus study options and global classroom experiences besides its renowned 'Elevate' program, it is approvals for Liverpool University's India campus are at an advanced stage, developments with respect to a similar campus set up with both Michigan and Purdue universities are also picking pace, ET has learnt.A prominent Australian university could also be headed to India for a standalone campus, it is sources confirmed that its approval processes for a clutch of high ranking foreign universities was in advanced entry of Chicago-based Illinois Tech is a major boost to the 'internationalisation' of India's higher education landscape and will bring an array of highly sought after courses to the Tech has already affirmed this week that its Mumbai campus will provide the "same academically rigorous, experiential, and industry-aligned curriculum as the university's Chicago campuses' besides the famed Elevate program, which guarantees all students access to 'real-world experiences' such as internships, research, competitions, and other opportunities. Courses will be delivered by an internationally recruited faculty, including visiting professors from Illinois Tech's US campuses and faculty with global academic credentials."In a bold and historic move, Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), Chicago's only tech-focused university, is set to become the first US university to be approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish an independent degree-granting campus in India. Opening in Fall 2026, the new Illinois Tech, Mumbai campus, will offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programmes in high-demand fields such as computer science, engineering, and business", Illinois Tech has announced in Chicago on May 6 even as UGC is yet to announce its final entry of foreign Universities via an Indian campus route comes following the University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations of 2023-a new rulebook aimed at facilitated setting up of India-based campus of top-rated foreign UK's University of Southampton was the first foreign University to be granted a letter of intent to set up a full-fledged campus in India under the UGC's Regulations in August 2024. It is expected to start operations this year.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Illinois Tech first US varsity to get UGC approval, to open Mumbai campus
Chicago-based Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has become the first American university to receive formal approval from India's University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish an independent, degree-awarding campus in the country. The development, according to a PTI report, marks the first time a US institution will directly operate a full-fledged campus under India's national higher education regulations. The new Illinois Tech Mumbai campus is set to commence operations in 2026, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in computer science, engineering, and business. The Mumbai campus will replicate Illinois Tech's signature academic model, combining theory with real-world exposure. As part of this, students will have access to the university's Elevate programme - an initiative that guarantees every student hands-on learning through internships, research, competitions, and collaborative projects. Courses will be taught by a globally-recruited faculty, which includes visiting professors from Illinois Tech's US campuses and educators with international academic backgrounds. 'Our new campus responds to this extraordinary demand by delivering globally recognised Illinois Tech degrees in a highly accessible, affordable, and locally contextualised format,' said Mallik Sundharam, vice president for Enrollment Management at Illinois Tech. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has welcomed the move, viewing it as a significant opportunity for students and employers alike. Illinois Tech: Strong academic credentials According to the 2025 US News & World Report, the undergraduate and graduate computer science programmes of Illinois Tech rank among the top 100 in the United States. Its business programmes also receive high marks: the university's Master's in management is ranked 15th, marketing 24th, and finance 26th by TFE Times. In terms of student outcomes, Opportunity Insights (2024) gave Illinois Tech the second spot for upward mobility among highly selective private colleges. Fulfilling the vision of NEP 2020 The move is closely aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes international collaboration and envisions India as a global knowledge hub by 2047. Illinois Tech's entry into the Indian education space comes just a year after UGC introduced new regulations allowing foreign universities to operate independently in the country. 'Illinois Tech's proposed Mumbai campus - India's first-ever American university campus to run STEM courses - embodies the visionary aspirations of the National Education Policy 2020,' said Somnath Ghosh, consul general of India in Chicago. 'The collaboration reflects our shared commitment to opportunity, cross-cultural partnership, and societal advancement through education,' he added. A groundbreaking first for India While foreign universities like Australia's Deakin University and University of Wollongong are setting up campuses in Gujarat's GIFT City under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), Illinois Tech is the first to enter the Indian market through the mainstream UGC pathway. Unlike the GIFT City institutions, which primarily cater to international finance and niche programmes, Illinois Tech will offer a full portfolio of degrees directly to Indian students under Indian regulations.
