Purdue Prof. Vijay Raghunathan named VP for Global Partnerships and Programs
After a search in the fall semester, Vijay Raghunathan, professor in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been named vice president for global partnerships and programs. He replaces Mike Brzezinski, who led international programs for 14 years at Purdue and was vice president for global partnerships and programs from January 2023 until retiring in August 2023.
Raghunathan’s experience and understanding of strategic global partnerships make him ideally suited to shape the mission, vision, and strategy of Purdue’s future global agenda. He joined Purdue in 2006 and is a professor and associate head for graduate and professional programs in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Raghunathan also serves as the director of Purdue’s Semiconductor Degrees Program (SDP), a role he will continue to hold. SDP, which Raghunathan helped create, is the university’s comprehensive initiative for semiconductor workforce development. Launched in May 2022, it has earned international recognition for the university as a leading innovator in semiconductor education in the United States. Raghunathan’s research and innovative work have resulted in several opportunities and initiatives to connect with students, academic institutions and industry partners around the globe.
Today, Purdue ranks among the nation’s largest universities in international student enrollment and is a leading innovator in higher education for its recruitment strategies, notably for undergraduate students and study abroad programs. The 2023 Open Doors Report, issued by the Institute of International Education, ranks Purdue No. 8 among more than 4,500 public and private universities in attracting international students. Based on fall semester enrollment and optional practical training data for the 2022-23 academic year, the report shows Purdue had a total of 11,872 students from abroad, representing around 130 countries.
Raghunathan will be tasked with further expanding the university’s role and reputation as a leading global institution through increased international enrollment numbers, study abroad participation and enhanced high-impact partnerships with academic, industry and government partners overseas. The team at Purdue will continue expanding upon these connections with strategic partners, alumni and friends to benefit the entire Purdue community and the state.
Raghunathan holds a BTech degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and MS and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from UCLA.