Photographs courtesy Sabu Thomas
Right: As a Fulbright Scholar, Sabu Thomas (right) attended academic and administrative meetings with U.S. universities, colleges and other institutes. Below right: Thomas (center) with other participants of the Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar, near the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Could you tell us about your work in the fields of nanotechnology and nanoscience? We primarily focus on the key aspects of using nanotechnology to develop products that can be used in diverse sectors, such as health care, automobile, aerospace and defense. We have extensive collaborations with Apollo Tyres, a major tire company in India, and have patented a technology for developing high-performance tire inner liners. We have also developed a formulation for high voltage cables with General Cable in the United States.
What are some of the major ways in which you plan to make Mahatma Gandhi University more international, whether through your role as a vice chancellor or your academic work? My vision is to upgrade Mahatma Gandhi University to a world-class university. All
activities will be guided by the principles of equity, social justice, inclusiveness and diversity. I wish to build a world-class center of excellence in teaching, learning and evaluation process, producing high-quality, socially committed and highly skilled manpower for nation building, with the support of all the members of my university. I want to transform Mahatma Gandhi University into a truly international researchoriented institution, with excellent faculty members and infrastructure.
Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar https://bit.ly/36m1U4M
Mahatma Gandhi University www.mgu.ac.in
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How was your experience of participating in the Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar in the United States and how did this program help enhance your work in India? I got the opportunity, as a senior Fulbright Scholar, to have academic and administrative meetings with 15 U.S. universities, institutes and colleges. I visited many U.S. institutions to have high-level academic meetings with their presidents, vice presidents, deans, provosts, senior academicians and administrators. I was also able to acquire a lot of information about the educational systems in various institutes in the United States. This trip was very useful in my effort to take MGU to a higher academic level. I did an orientation lecture soon after I returned from the program and have encouraged the young scholars to apply and use this golden opportunity.
What are you currently working on? My research group works extensively on interdisciplinary areas. We work with industries in India and abroad for translating our research findings into products that can be of use to everyone. I firmly believe that nanotechnology has the potential to place our country in the forefront of technological advancement in the future. And, many cutting-edge products can be formulated with the help of nanotechnology. Natasa Milas is a freelance writer based in New York City.
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