JGU has established the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies (MJIAS), supported by a landmark endowment of US$5 million (approx. Rs 44 crore) from Ms. Asha Jadeja Motwani, a prominent US-based venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, and the Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation. This is one of the largest philanthropic contributions to JGU and among the most significant investments in American Studies in India.
The Institute is named in honour of the late Professor Rajeev Motwani, a legendary Stanford University computer scientist, whose mentorship helped shape the journeys of the founders of Google and countless other innovators. The MJIAS will serve as a lasting tribute to his legacy while advancing Ms. Motwani's unwavering commitment to education, innovation, and India-US cooperation.
Ms. Asha Jadeja Motwani, Founder, Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation, said, "The establishment of MJIAS at JGU reflects my deep belief in the power of education to shape global narratives and foster enduring partnerships. At a time of great global transformation, it is vital for India and the United States to invest in the next generation of scholars, thinkers, and leaders who can build bridges of understanding, cooperation, and innovation. I am honoured to support this visionary initiative and proud to partner with JGU in creating a world-class institution for American Studies in India."
As its vision and mission, the MJIAS aspires to become a globally recognised centre of excellence for research, teaching, and policy engagement on the United States, while deepening India-US relations and contributing to global conversations. Its mission includes promoting interdisciplinary research on US politics, law, economy, culture, and technology; facilitating collaboration between Indian and American academic institutions, think-tanks, and civil society; enhancing public understanding of US global leadership and innovation ecosystems; supporting comparative legal and constitutional scholarship; and fostering faculty and student exchanges and cultivating future leaders in India-US affairs.
The Institute will launch a broad range of programmes and initiatives including Annual Rajeev Motwani Memorial Lecture; Rajeev Motwani Fellowship; Master's Programme in American Studies; and an annual conference on India-US comprehensive global partnership.
The strategic partnership will also include a tech innovation hub; an India-US Policy Consultation Forum; the India-US Youth Forum; Global Challenges Forum; studies and reports; sociocultural mobility initiatives and the creation of global indices aimed at advancing bilateral interests between India and the US.
Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, JGU, and President, MJIAS said, "This historic endowment marks a defining moment for JGU. The MJIAS will be a powerful bridge between India and the US. We are grateful to Ms. Asha Jadeja Motwani for her visionary philanthropy and belief in the power of education to shape global futures. JGU was founded through the philanthropic initiative of our founding Chancellor and benefactor, Mr. Naveen Jindal. I am most delighted to recognise that this vision and imagination are further expanded and deepened by the leadership of global philanthropic leaders such as Ms. Asha Jadeja Motwani."