KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 6, 2026

The latest milestone in a relationship spanning more than a decade, Kennesaw State University and Birla Carbon have established a program that will send undergraduate students to India for intensive summer internships.

Launching in 2026, the Birla Carbon India Study Abroad Program will offer up to 12 students from KSU’s College of Science and Mathematics the opportunity to engage in collaborative research projects at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Goa, India. Students will begin their projects at Kennesaw State during the spring semester and continue them abroad during the summer, working alongside BITS faculty and students.

Supported by a $184,000 gift from Birla Carbon, the program is just the latest in a longstanding partnership between the University and the global manufacturer. Since 2014, funds provided by Birla Carbon have enabled 117 Birla Carbon Scholars at KSU to participate in research. This year marked the 12th cohort of scholars, all of whom have applied their studies toward sponsored projects under the guidance of Kennesaw State faculty scholars.

In that time, 21 KSU graduates have gone on to secure jobs in Birla Carbon’s Marietta facility.

“We are now in our 15th year of partnership with Kennesaw State University overall,” said Terence Norman, human resources head for Birla Carbon Americas. “Over the years, we’ve seen phenomenal growth and development opportunities for the students here in the College of Science and Mathematics.”

The idea for the study abroad program emerged from ongoing conversations between KSU faculty and Birla Carbon leadership, said Kadian Callahan, associate dean for student success and community engagement in the College of Science and Mathematics.

“The college’s focus is on providing quality undergraduate research experiences to students, and when Birla Carbon shared that they had locations in India training students, we saw an opportunity to collaborate,” she said.

Callahan added that in addition to advancing the strategic priorities of the College of Science and Mathematics, the program will combine two high-impact practices: undergraduate research and education abroad.

“They’re learning a lot about the culture and gaining new perspectives on the research,” Callahan said. “It’s new for KSU, and we’re very excited to be able to partner with Birla Carbon to bring this opportunity to our students.”

Bharat Baruah, a native of India and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, played a key role in establishing the international collaboration. He visited BITS Goa to initiate faculty connections and align research interests between institutions.

The program has the potential to produce joint publications and long-term academic partnerships, he said.

“Whatever research they start here, they can finish up in India,” Baruah said. “That means they can get a publication out of it with KSU and BITS faculty and students as co-authors.”

Looking ahead, KSU plans to host a symposium upon the students’ return to showcase their research and experiences. The program also opens doors for future collaborations, expanded internships, and increased global visibility for the University.

“We do this because it’s something we believe in,” Norman said. “Our purpose is created by passion and that leads to inspiration and rejuvenation. It’s about enriching lives, and Kennesaw State gives us an opportunity to do that firsthand.”

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.