Kanpur Indo-American Program
Dates
- Existence: 1962 - 1972
Historical Note
The Kanpur Indo-American Program, 1962-1972, was a consortium effort of nine American educational institutions to assist in the development of an Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Princeton University, University of Michigan, University of California, Purdue University, Ohio State University, and the Case Institute of Technology were members of the consortium. The US Agency for International Development provided funds and Educational Services Incorporated administered the program. The program provided personnel from the United States; on-the-job experience to members of the Kanpur faculty at consortium institutions; and funds for equipment, materials, and books not available in India. A steering committee, composed of a faculty representative from each of the nine American institutions and a representative of Educational Services, was responsible for determining policy and recruiting faculty from consortium institutions. The Indian Institute of Technology was patterned after American technological institutions, but with an emphasis on recognizing and solving India's problems.
Five-year undergraduate degree programs in aeronautical, chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, and metallurgical engineering were offered; and research and graduate study in these fields as well as chemistry, mathematics, physics, social science, and humanities. The program was scheduled to continue until 1972, when India Institute of Technology became self-sustaining.