In January 2026, Kennesaw State University (KSU) and Birla Carbon announced the launch of the Birla Carbon India Study Abroad Program, that allows students from the Kennesaw State University College of Science and Mathematics to engage in collaborative research at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Goa, India.

This milestone, in a relationship spanning more than a decade between Kennesaw State University and Birla Carbon, has established a program that will send undergraduate students to India for intensive summer internships. Sharing his thoughts, the HR Head, Americas, Birla Carbon said, “We are now in our 15th year of partnership with Kennesaw State University overall and over the years, we have seen phenomenal growth and development opportunities for the students here in the College of Science and Mathematics.” He further added how, “We do this because it is something we believe in. Our purpose is created by passion which leads to inspiration and rejuvenation. It is about enriching lives, and Kennesaw State gives us an opportunity to do that first-hand.”

Launching this year, the 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 US$ 184,000 contribution from Birla Carbon, the program is the most recent introduction in a longstanding partnership between the two partners. Since 2014, funds provided by Birla Carbon have enabled 117 Birla Carbon Scholars at KSU to participate in various research projects. This year marked the 12th cohort of scholars, who have applied their studies toward sponsored projects under the guidance of Kennesaw State faculty scholars. The program has the potential to produce joint publications and long-term academic partnerships, and it also opens doors for future collaborations and expanded internships for KSU and Birla Carbon, globally