WASHINGTON DC: Amid visible turbulence in India-U.S. ties—reflected in visa uncertainties and student funding concerns—a quieter resilience persists: the continued rise of the Indian diaspora to leadership roles across premier American institutions. Dr. Suresh Garimella, President of the University of Arizona and recently nominated to the U.S. Department of Energy Advisory Committee, embodies this trajectory. An IIT Madras alumnus and among a select group of Indian-origin U.S. university presidents, he sees higher education as a steady bridge through shifting geopolitical currents. Drawing on decades of academic leadership, he underscores the enduring value of bilateral academic engagement, talent mobility, and institutional partnerships. In this interview with The Sunday Guardian, he reflects on visa and funding challenges—and the road ahead. Excerpts:
Q. Congratulations on your nomination to the U.S. Department of Energy Advisory Committee. As an immigrant leading a major American university, what does this recognition mean to you, and does it reinforce the role of Indian Americans in the U.S. success stories?
A. It is an honor to serve on the Department of Energy’s Office of Science Advisory Committee. Universities have an important responsibility to contribute their expertise to the nation. The work comes at a pivotal moment for scientific discovery and technological innovation. I look forward to working with colleagues across academia, national laboratories, and industry to help strengthen American research and innovation.
My own journey from studying engineering at IIT Madras to receiving my Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, and my subsequent faculty and leadership roles at major U.S. research universities and in shaping government policy, inform my approach to leadership. As the leader of a premier American university, it is my priority to support a cutting-edge research environment that facilitates discovery, innovation, talent development, and economic opportunity.
At the University of Arizona, we are focusing our research enterprise on areas where we can make the greatest impact—space and optical sciences, artificial intelligence in healthcare, mining and critical minerals, fusion energy, and arid-region agriculture and water. Today the University of Arizona conducts more than $1 billion in research each year; and we have set an ambitious goal of doubling that enterprise as we continue advancing discoveries that strengthen economies, improve lives, and create opportunity.
These experiences have reinforced for me the power of higher education to connect talent, opportunity, discovery, and impact, and I am proud of the Indian diaspora’s contributions to the United States across a range of endeavors.
Q. Your journey—from IIT Madras to leadership roles at major U.S. universities including Purdue and Vermont, and now the University of Arizona—has been remarkable. How has that trajectory shaped your approach to institutional leadership?
A. My biggest learning is to blend clarity of mission with a sense of urgency. Universities are at their best when they remain focused on educating students, advancing discovery, and serving society. They must also be agile and prepared to pivot as needed to seize opportunities or address a pressing need.
At the University of Arizona, we worked with university leaders and groups of faculty, staff, students, friends, and community partners in a collaborative and generative process to define three strategic imperatives: success for every student, research that shapes the future, and engagement with our communities to create opportunity.
Equally important is building a strong leadership team aligned with those goals and committed to delivering results for our students and the communities we serve, while maintaining long-term financial sustainability. That alignment positions us to adapt, drive innovation, and change before we are compelled to do so by external factors, and better serve our students and communities across Arizona and the nation.
Q. Many U.S. universities are grappling with challenges around international student enrollment, costs, and research funding. As the University of Arizona feels this pressure, and how are you responding?
A. The global environment for higher education has certainly become more complex, but the demand for high-quality education and research collaboration remains strong.
International students are an essential part of the University of Arizona community, including a vibrant community of students from India who contribute across fields such as engineering, business, data science, and health sciences. Our Arizona International team works closely with students to help them navigate challenges and ensure they have the support they need to succeed.
At the same time, we remain actively engaged with federal partners and policymakers while continuing to expand research collaborations with industry and philanthropic organizations. We also have a robust overseas micro-campus network, where students can receive a U of A education without leaving their home countries. This network also offers opportunities to leverage these international partnerships to advance the mutual research strengths of both countries.
Q. The University of Arizona has long attracted students from India in fields like engineering, business, health sciences, and data science. What makes the university a strong destination for Indian students, and how does it prepare them for global careers?
A. Students from India have long been an important part of the University of Arizona community. The U of A shares a close alignment with India on research priorities, including AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, astronomy, and other areas.
What distinguishes Arizona is the combination of world-class research opportunities, close collaboration with faculty, and hands-on experiences through internships, research, and global learning. We want students to graduate not only with strong academic credentials but with the confidence and experience to lead in an interconnected worldwide economy.
Many of our graduates from around the world become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in industry, research, academia, and public service.
Q. International students—especially at the graduate and postdoctoral levels—play a critical role in U.S. leadership in research, AI, medicine, and technology. How do you see their contribution in the current climate?
A. International students and scholars are essential to the strength of the global research enterprise. They bring talent, new perspectives, and a spirit of collaboration that drives discovery.
At the University of Arizona, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from around the world contribute to breakthroughs in areas such as space science, artificial intelligence in healthcare, energy systems, and climate resilience. Many of these discoveries emerge from diverse teams working together across disciplines and borders. Collaboration is one of the greatest strengths of research universities. When talented people from different backgrounds work together to solve complex problems, the result is innovation that benefits societies around the world.
Q. At a time when many universities face funding and enrollment pressures, the University of Arizona has emphasized a disciplined institutional strategy. What are your key priorities in steering the university through this period?
A. Since my arrival at the University of Arizona, we have fully eliminated a $177 million budget deficit, provided raises for our employees, and kept resident undergraduate tuition flat for a third consecutive year. Those steps reflect our commitment to both responsible stewardship and ensuring that higher education remains accessible to students and families.
Today our work is guided by three strategic imperatives: success for every student, research that shapes the future, and engagement with our communities to create opportunity. That focus allows us to continue strengthening the university while expanding opportunities for students and the communities we serve.
As part of this effort, we have introduced a new enrollment management strategy that prioritizes student retention, progression, and timely graduation with as little debt as possible.
Q. You have often described India-U.S. educational collaboration as a cornerstone of soft diplomacy between the two democracies. Despite occasional policy turbulence, do you believe this partnership will continue to deepen?
A. Absolutely. The relationship between the United States and India is vital for both countries, and higher education plays an important role in advancing that connection.
The partnership between our two countries is strengthened every day through education, research, and the exchange of talented students and scholars. Students, researchers, and faculty who collaborate across our institutions build lasting bridges between our societies and advance discovery and innovation that benefits both countries.
On a trip to India at the end of last year, I delivered the keynote address at the 2nd Bharat Higher Education Summit held by the Confederation of Indian Private Universities (CIPUA), a group I assisted in bringing together. This group of institutions aligns with the U of A’s mission and goals in many ways, and we have many opportunities for collaboration in research and workforce development. Earlier this month I met with Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Consul General of India in Los Angeles, and we discussed strengthening partnerships with research organizations in India.
I am confident that collaboration between American and Indian universities will continue to grow because it is grounded in our shared values and deep commitment to education and scientific discovery.
Q. With global competition for international students intensifying, do you see opportunities for U.S. universities to engage students in their home countries? Do you have plans for deeper engagement in India?
A. Universities today must think on a global scale about how they engage students, researchers, and partners. Collaboration across borders allows institutions to expand educational opportunity while advancing research and innovation.
At the University of Arizona, we have developed partnerships in India that reflect this approach. Through our collaboration with Amrita University, students can pursue graduate study connected to Arizona while also benefiting from the strengths of a leading Indian institution. These partnerships allow students to engage with world-class faculty and research while building connections that span both countries.
