
Several years ago, USF’s adviser in India Aruna Dasgupta received a panicky phone
call from a prospective PhD student whose visa application was being denied. Having
earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering at USF, the student returned to
India to work in industry for several years but now wanted to come back to the university
for her doctoral degree and to conduct more research on nanotechnology. But the visa
denial threatened all her plans. &Բ;
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Dasgupta had seen this scenario before, calming the student down and assuring her
she could apply for the visa again. The second time was the charm, and a few years
later Dasgupta tuned into a livestream to watch Nirmita Roy earn her PhD in electrical
and electronics engineering. &Բ;
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Roy has since become a semiconductor process engineer at the ƵCollege of Engineering
and recently was awarded the 2025 Semiconductor Rising Star Award at the FSI Florida
Semiconductor Summit. Roy’s innovations in wearable electronics and semiconductors
are contributing to USF’s rising prominence in the field. And in return for the gentle
guidance she received from Dasgupta, Roy also now counsels potential students from
India, sharing her experience and answering questions about the university. “There are so many Ƶrock stars like her,” Dasgupta said recently as she reflected
on the many students she’s come to know over her years at USF. &Բ;
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"Aruna helped us build our international student portfolio and today India is one of the most important countries in terms of student representation, especially among our graduate students." — ƵWorld Vice President Kiki Caruson
After 14 years serving as a bridge between India and USF, Dasgupta is stepping away
from her role, leaving behind a legacy of cross-cultural connections that was celebrated
during recent commencement events at the Tampa campus. &Բ;
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It was no small role. India has been a central focus in USF’s long-term strategy to
rise as an international research university and has become the leading country of
origin for USF’s international students with about 300 undergraduates and more than
1,400 graduate students. USF’s Network India alumni group also is one of the university’s most active international alumni efforts. &Բ;
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“India as a place where we really wanted to invest,” said ƵWorld Vice President
Kiki Caruson. “Aruna was a wonderful guide, ambassador and teacher in helping us understand
the country and understand parents and students and what families we're looking for
in terms of undergraduate and graduate education. (She) helped us build our international
student portfolio and today India is one of the most important countries in terms
of student representation, especially among our graduate students.” &Բ;
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Dasgupta joined Ƶin 2010 as Country Advisor-India for the Ƶ
following a two-decade career at the U.S. Embassy, where she worked as a senior editor
for SPAN magazine — a bi-monthly publication from the embassy featuring content delivered
to Indian audiences in the English, Hindi, and Urdu languages — and coordinated education
programming. Dasgupta wasn’t planning for a career in higher education and was looking
forward to retirement and enjoying the country’s mountain resorts when a job posting
for the Ƶrole redirected her professional journey. &Բ;
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“In a way, Ƶbrought me into the higher education sector,” Dasgupta said. “The job
didn’t require prior experience in education — just a deep knowledge of it, strong
communication skills, and familiarity with the American work environment. That’s where
I fit in.” &Բ;
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Dasgupta quickly became a familiar and reassuring presence for prospective Indian
students looking to USF. From organizing pre-departure orientations to offering guidance
through visa hurdles, she has impacted the academic journeys of hundreds of students.
Some of those students later would grow to become friends, with Dasgupta hosting dinners
for Ƶalumni at her home. &Բ;
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Dasgupta’s background in journalism infused her role with a unique storytelling approach.
She regularly pitched Ƶstudents, faculty and alumni for features in SPAN, ensuring
the university maintained a presence in Indian media conversations about studying
in the U.S. &Բ;
"Seeing students go from uncertain beginnings to leading Fortune 500 companies or
launching startups — it’s extraordinary,” she said. &Բ;
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Though she announced her departure from Ƶin a heartfelt LinkedIn post last month,
Dasgupta clarified she's not retiring. “Fake news!” she joked. She plans to continue
working in education consulting and rekindle her original passions of editing and
writing. &Բ;
As she closed the chapter on her Ƶtenure, Dasgupta said she remains proud of her
contribution to building a trusted channel between Indian students and an American
university she came to call her own. &Բ;
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“I didn’t just represent USF. I felt part of it,” she said. &Բ;