Manjul Bhargava to teach in Indian universities

New Delhi: Manjul Bhargava, a professor of Mathematics in a US University and widely known for his contribution to the number theory, would be a part of a global initiative under which international academicians would teach in Indian universities every year. Last year, Manjul Bhargava became the first Indian-origin mathematician to win the coveted Fields Medal, known as the ‘Nobel Prize of mathematics’.

Bhargava would be among renowned academicians from United States to teach in centrally funded educational institutes under the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) initiative, the launch of which was announced last year by the Narendra Modi Government.

"Manjul Bhargava, awarded the Fields Medal 2014, has kindly consented to be a part of GIAN. Manjul Bhargava seeks to enliven Math teaching in India. Wants to give back to his roots so that others get wings to fly," tweeted HRD Minister Smriti Irani. The announcement comes a couple weeks before US President Barack Obama's visit to India.

During Prime Minister Modi's visit to US last year, US had agreed to India's proposal to invite and host up to 1,000 American academics every year to teach in centrally-recognised Indian universities under the GIAN initiative.

" Obama welcomed India's proposal to establish the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN or knowledge) under which India would invite and host up to 1,000 American academics each year to teach in centrally-recognised Indian universities, at their convenience", the India-US joint statement said after both the leaders met. At a vice chancellors meet earlier, it was decided that universities will provide a list of eminent scholars, researchers both from within the country and outside, who they would like to invite in their universities as guest speakers in residence etc.