Ashoka Global Research Alliances (AGRA)

Ashoka Global Research Alliances (AGRA)

Ashoka Global Research Alliances (AGRA) was established in April 2024 as a department under the Research Council, a strategic body dedicated to advancing research, education, and training in the fields of Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Humanities, and Social Sciences. AGRA’s operational objectives focus on the conceptualization, planning, development, and execution of strategic partnerships and research collaborations between Ashoka University and global universities, research institutes, funding bodies, philanthropic organisations and industry. AGRA aims to catalyze the expansion and quality improvements in the university’s research ecosystem through infrastructure development and joint ventures with external entities.

AGRA - Functions

1. Custodian of a strategic research alliance plan for Ashoka University
2. Identifying opportunities and building networks for collaborative research programmes in sciences and liberal arts with global universities
3. Strategic approach and process for research-led collaboration with universities, institutes and industries
4. Executing MoUs – research partnership and academic programmes
5. Establishing advanced research initiatives in sciences such as advanced lab and instrumentation facilities, and meetings and workshop office
6. Designing and delivering gifted education programmes (Lodha Genius Programme, summer research programmes)
7. Facilitating funding and fundraising for research and development

AGRA - Long Term Goals

Interdisciplinary Research Progress at Ashoka:

• Increase in the number of interdisciplinary research projects initiated within the university.
• Increase in interdisciplinary course offerings and student enrolment.
• Higher participation rates in interdisciplinary research conferences and seminars. / Establish a robust interdisciplinary research meetings programme
• Tangible outcomes from interdisciplinary research collaborations, such as publications and patents.

Global recognition for ‘Research at Ashoka’:

• Transform Ashoka university as a centre of excellence across the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and the arts in the global academic and research community.
• Rise international rankings for mathematics, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary research.
• Growth in collaborative research projects with globally renowned institutions.
• Ensure significant contribution by Ashoka researchers and students in international research conferences, and deliver quality research output and impactful publications.

External research facility access through collaboration

• Leveraging partnerships with high-end international research facilities for encompassing large-scale research infrastructures, specialized laboratories, and unique resources such as large particle accelerators, synchrotron radiation facilities, major genome sequencing centers, and high-energy computing clusters.
• Facilitate access to field research stations in diverse ecosystems for cutting-edge technologies and participating in global scientific networks.
• Enhance competitiveness and impact of research conducted at Ashoka University through strategic partnerships and collaborations.

Development of core research facilities in sciences

• Biology – Advanced microscopy and imaging facilities, including confocal microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, and live-cell imaging, molecular biology and genetics laboratories equipped with DNA sequencing, PCR machines, and gene expression analysis tools, cell culture and biochemistry facilities for studying cellular processes and protein analysis, animal research facilities for studying animal models and conducting preclinical research
• Computer Science – Computational capacity for data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, advanced software and hardware resources for developing and testing algorithms, models, and simulations, data storage and management systems for handling large-scale datasets, laboratories for cybersecurity research, humancomputer interaction, and computer vision.
• Chemistry – Spectroscopic instruments for studying molecular structures, dynamics, and chemical reactions, synthesis and characterization facilities for organic, inorganic, and materials, high-resolution imaging techniques such as electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, computational chemistry facilities for molecular modeling and simulations
• Physics – Instrumentation facility for research in condensed matter physics, particle physics, optics, high-performance computing facilities for theoretical and computational physics research, nanoscience, materials characterization, and precision measurements
• Ecology and Environmental Sciences – Field research equipment for ecological surveys, biodiversity assessments, and environmental monitoring, including GPS systems, data loggers, and remote sensing tools, analytical instruments for water quality analysis, air quality monitoring, and soil analysis, climate-controlled growth chambers and greenhouses for studying plant ecology and climate change impacts, geospatial analysis software and GIS (Geographic Information System) tools for spatial data analysis and modelling

Societal impact

• Increase in the number of research projects at Ashoka University addressing pressing global challenges.
• Implementation of science-based initiatives impacting society positively.
• Growth in collaborations with NGOs, government agencies, and industry for societal impact projects.

Team