RICE UNIVERSITY INAUGURATES ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP IN JAIN STUDIES
Dignitaries present at the Inaugural Function of Endowed Professorship
On October 19, 2025, Rice University, in partnership with JAINA’s Academic Liaison Committee and Jain donors from
India and the USA, inaugurated the Tirthankar Shantinath Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies at the JVB Center,
Houston. The $1.5 million donor contribution, matched by Rice, establishes a $3 million endowment within the
School of Humanities.
The inauguration ceremony brought together over 100 attendees, including scholars, philanthropists, civic leaders, and university representatives. The event opened with the Navkar Mahamantra led by Samanijis Aarjav Pragyaji and Swati Pragyaji, followed by remarks from Mr. Swatantra Jain, who highlighted JVB Houston’s role in hosting two major academic inaugurations within three months.
The event featured remarks by Dr. Sulekh Jain, Dr. Jasvant Modi, Dr. Anne Chao, and Dean Kathleen Canning, highlighting Jainism’s relevance to ethics, public policy, and global humanities.
This professorship marks a significant step in advancing Jain studies in North America.
Read the detailed report
The inauguration ceremony brought together over 100 attendees, including scholars, philanthropists, civic leaders, and university representatives. The event opened with the Navkar Mahamantra led by Samanijis Aarjav Pragyaji and Swati Pragyaji, followed by remarks from Mr. Swatantra Jain, who highlighted JVB Houston’s role in hosting two major academic inaugurations within three months.
The event featured remarks by Dr. Sulekh Jain, Dr. Jasvant Modi, Dr. Anne Chao, and Dean Kathleen Canning, highlighting Jainism’s relevance to ethics, public policy, and global humanities.
This professorship marks a significant step in advancing Jain studies in North America.
Read the detailed report
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