The McDonnell International Scholars Academy at Washington University in St. Louis

Mr. Sam Pitroda, the Chairman of the Knowledge Commission of India, visited Washington University on September 11, 2007 as the inaugural speaker in the McDonnell Academy’s Distinguished Visiting Lecturer Series. Mr. Pitroda had meetings with Scholars and Ambassadors of the Academy and Chancellor Mark Wrighton, and he visited departments and laboratories on
the Danforth Campus as well as the Medical School. In the afternoon he gave a lecture on “The Knowledge Commission of India: Priorities in Higher Education” to a large audience drawn from across Washington University as well as from the broader St. Louis community. In his presentation he outlined some of the major challenges facing India in the realm of higher
education, as well as ambitious plans for meeting these challenges. Several faculty members will be working further with Mr. Pitroda as the Academy develops more extensive ties to institutions in India.