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Rice University inaugurates Tirthankar Shantinath Jain Studies chair
The Jain Vishwa Bharati Center in Houston marks a milestone with Rice University’s launch of the Tirthankar Shantinath Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies, strengthening academic interfaith scholarship in Texas.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 03, Nov 2025
- 13:48 EST
- 41
Several prominent university leaders and philanthropists were seen at the inauguration of the Tirthankar Shantinath Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies at Rice University / Courtesy: Jain Vishwa Bharati (JVB, Houston)
The Jain Vishwa Bharati (JVB) Center, Houston, hosted a landmark celebration marking the inauguration of the Tirthankar Shantinath Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies at Rice University.
The event drew prominent university leaders, community philanthropists, and the Consul General of India in Houston, D.C. Manjunath, as the guest of honor.
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Consul General of India in Houston, D.C. Manjunath, was the guest of honor at the event / Courtesy: Jain Vishwa Bharati (JVB, Houston)Consul General Manjunath commended the community’s commitment to cultural and educational collaboration. “Three months ago, we discussed the professorship in Houston, and today, here we are,” he said, highlighting the swift progress of the initiative.
“It’s a tremendous honor to stand before you today as we celebrate the establishment of the Tirthankar Shantinath Endowed Chair in Jain Studies,” said Swatantra Jain, co-founder and chairperson of JVB Houston. “This chair is a powerful affirmation of our shared heritage.”
Anne Chao, co-founder of the Houston Asian-American Archive and a driving force behind the initiative, said the endowed chair aligns with Rice’s mission to foster intercultural understanding. “When this archive was first established at Rice, the goal was to create a premier research hub that will generate in-depth research and understanding of the peoples, religions, histories, and cultures of the Asian continent,” she said.
She added that the new Jain Studies program “will go a long way to enrich and deepen our effort to study Asia,” further positioning Rice as a leading center for global humanities.
Anne Chao, co-founder of the Houston Asian-American Archive speaking at the event / Courtesy: Jain Vishwa Bharati (JVB, Houston)Rice University leaders echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the professorship’s academic and cultural impact. “This will significantly expand the scholarly scope with respect to religion,” said Kathleen Canning, dean of the School of Humanities at Rice.
Speakers across academia and philanthropy reflected on the significance of the moment. “There’s never been a better time in history to know something about somebody else’s religion,” said Gregory Clines of Trinity University, noting that such initiatives position Texas as a major center of Jain Studies in the U.S.
Community leaders and scholars also framed the event as a bridge between tradition and modern inquiry. “This is not just an academic milestone. It is a moral and spiritual step forward,” said Samani Aarjav Pragya of JVB Houston. “It is a place where reason meets reflection and intellect meets intuition.”
Sheroo Mukhtiar, CEO of Interfaith Ministries of Houston, emphasized the ethical resonance of Jain teachings, noting that “these principles are not only spiritual ideals but living values that call us to service, humility, and interconnectedness.”
Prominent Houston philanthropist Jugal Malani lauded the community’s united efforts in bringing the initiative to life. Describing the professorship as “the beginning of a vibrant journey—one that honors the past, enlightens the present, and inspires the future,” he underscored the importance of education in sustaining cultural and spiritual values.
The professorship represents a major step in advancing Jain academic presence in the United States. It follows the establishment of a similar endowed chair at the University of Texas at Austin in July 2025, signaling growing recognition of Jain philosophy within higher education.
With continued support from the Houston community and Rice University leadership, the new Jain Studies professorship is set to deepen interfaith dialogue, academic inquiry, and cultural understanding across disciplines.
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