Written by Colin McEvoy | March 17, 2026 | SHARE
Lehigh University and VIT expand their global partnership with a new initiative offering VIT alumni pathways to graduate study in the U.S.
Lehigh University and the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) are expanding their global strategic partnership with a new initiative that offers VIT alumni in North America opportunities to pursue U.S. graduate education at Lehigh.
Through the initiative, eligible VIT alumni may apply to select graduate programs in engineering and business at Lehigh University, offered online or on campus. Lehigh is currently the exclusive U.S. university partner with VIT for this program.
Admitted participants will receive a 20% tuition scholarship through this partnership, supporting continued academic and professional advancement at one of the leading research universities in the United States.
Learn more about this program at the Lehigh-VIT Global Strategic Partnership website.
The initiative reflects the growing collaboration between the two institutions since formally establishing their partnership in 2023, according to Cheryl Matherly, Vice President and Vice Provost for International Affairs at Lehigh University’s Office of International Affairs (OIA).
“We have tremendous respect for the quality of education and innovation at VIT,” Matherly said. “We are excited to welcome VIT alumni who wish to extend their graduate education at Lehigh and to continue strengthening the connections between our institutions.”
Built on a shared commitment to academic excellence and preparing the next generation of global leaders, the Lehigh–VIT partnership supports articulated degree pathways, student and faculty mobility, and new opportunities for lifelong engagement with the global VIT community.
"Through the Lehigh–VIT partnership, we are building bridges that transcend geographical and academic boundaries, creating seamless pathways for students to pursue their educational aspirations across institutions," said Dr. R. Seenivasan, Director of International Relations and Senior Professor at the Centre for Nanobiotechnology at VIT.
"This collaboration not only enables smooth academic progression but also enriches global exchange by fostering meaningful interactions among students, scholars, and researchers from diverse cultural and intellectual backgrounds," he said. "It is through such engagement that we cultivate broader perspectives, innovation, and mutual understanding."
Founded in 1984, VIT is widely recognized as one of India’s leading private universities, particularly in engineering, technology, and applied research. The university has earned the highest A++ accreditation from India’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council and has consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in India in the Government of India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework.
VIT is also increasingly recognized on the global stage. The university was ranked #691 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings and has been placed within the top 600 universities worldwide in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, reflecting its growing international research profile and academic impact.
Founded in 1865, Lehigh University is a private research university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The university is classified as an R1 institution (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing it among the leading research universities in the United States.
Lehigh consistently ranks among the top universities in the United States. The university was ranked #46 among National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #15 in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges rankings, reflecting strong outcomes in student success, academic quality, and career preparation.