Edu-leaders

Shiv Nadar University (SNU) has announced the establishment of its School of Natural Sciences, the second school to be established at SNU after the School of Engineering. The school will start with the Department of Mathematics.

The University also announced the appointment of Dr Sanjeev Agrawal as the Head of the Department of Mathematics. Dr Agrawal joins the Shiv Nadar University from St Stephens College, Delhi University.

Shiv Nadar, Founder, HCL, and Chairman, HCL Technologies and Shiv Nadar Foundation said, “Inter-discipline is a key pillar of the global higher education system and is an integral part of the Shiv Nadar University’s vision to build an institute benchmarked to global education standards. The School of Natural Sciences is an important step towards this vision.”

Starting this year, the Department of Mathematics will offer an innovative four-year undergraduate BS-degree programme and a two-year postgraduate MS-degree programme. These programmes have been designed on the basis of SNU’s underlying philosophy of interdisciplinary learning. The department will also offer certification courses specially designed and customized to develop technical and analytical skills relevant to industry needs.

Speaking on the launch of the Department of Mathematics, Dr Nikhil Sinha, the founding Vice Chancellor of the University said, “There is a great demand for mathematicians in various sectors like investment banking, insurance, financial services, consulting, medical research, bioinformatics, software, computer security and defence. However, there is a great need to change the way mathematics is taught and experienced in Indian educational institutions to create the right quality of talent that meets the needs of industry. Our students will have the global exposure and creative thinking needed to have successful careers in industry, academia and the government. We have attracted a stellar faculty, including some of the best mathematical minds from leading colleges and global universities like Oxford University, University of California at Berkeley, University of Houston, University of Delhi, IIT Kanpur and St Stephen’s College.”

The Shiv Nadar University will begin its first academic session in August 2011 with the School of Engineering and the School of Natural Sciences.