Chennai, April 22, 2025 – Rajalakshmi Engineering College (REC) has joined hands with Arizona State University (ASU), a leading U.S. university known for its innovation and academic excellence, to expand access to world-class global education for Indian students. This collaboration—under the Cintana Alliance—was brought to life through a high-impact academic engagement event in Chennai, where institutional leaders, students, parents, and school counselors came together to explore international learning pathways and future-ready opportunities.
The day featured high-level leadership interactions between REC, ASU, and Cintana Education representatives, focused on deepening academic collaboration and building innovative models of global learning. A dedicated session for REC’s final and pre-final year students focused on opportunities through the 0.5+1 MS programs, offering global pathways with credit recognition and academic support from faculty across institutions was also organised in the campus.
A major highlight was a keynote address by Dr. Chris Johnson, Senior Director and Head of Global Partnership Development at ASU. His talk, titled “Unlocking the American Dream: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities,” offered deep insights into the U.S. higher education landscape and inspired students, parents, and educators alike to pursue globally connected academic goals.
Adding practical value to the event were on-the-spot academic assessments and personalized career counseling sessions for undergraduate and postgraduate aspirants. These engagements helped students gain clarity on potential academic trajectories and understand how the REC-ASU collaboration can open doors to internationally recognized credentials and experiences.
The event concluded with impactful remarks by Mr. Abhay Meganathan, Vice Chairman of Rajalakshmi Group, Dr. Chris Johnson, Senior Director & Head of Global Partnership Development at Arizona State University, and Mr. Chaitanya Chitta, Regional Head – India & South Asia at Cintana Education. A special address by the U.S. Consul General, Mr. Chris Hodges further underscored the significance of international collaboration in shaping future-ready graduates. Together, they emphasized the transformative power of global partnerships and reaffirmed their shared commitment to creating meaningful academic opportunities for students in India.
Mr. Abhay Meganathan, Vice Chairman, Rajalakshmi Group, said:
“This event marks a significant milestone in our journey toward internationalization. Our partnership with ASU and Cintana is more than academic—it’s transformational for our students’ futures.”
“By working closely with ASU, we’re creating direct avenues for students to access global opportunities and prepare for success in a rapidly evolving world.”
COLLEGE: Rajalakshmi Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai – 602 105 Ph.: 044-67181111,67181112 Email: admin@rajalakshmi.edu.in CITY OFFICE: 69, New Avadi Road,Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010, India Ph.: 044-26442472, 26461316 Email:cityoffice@rajalakshmi.edu.in
Dr. Chris Johnson, Senior Director & Head of Global Partnership Development, Arizona State University, stated:
“Today’s engagement is a reflection of ASU’s commitment to global learning. We’re proud to work alongside REC and Cintana in creating meaningful opportunities for students in India.”
“This is about building academic bridges—giving students the chance to thrive both at home and on the global stage.”
Mr. Chaitanya Chitta, Regional Head – India & South Asia, Cintana Education, said:
“This collaboration with Arizona State University provides students with access to global education pathways, preparing them to thrive in an interconnected world. It’s an exciting opportunity that helps bridge the gap between local education and international opportunities.”
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