Furman Professor Earns Second Fulbright

Suresh Muthukrishnan, director of the GIS and Remote Sensing Center and professor of earth, environmental and sustainability science at Furman University, has earned his second Fulbright award, this time as a Fulbright Specialist.

Since 1964, Furman has celebrated 28 different Fulbright winners in the U.S. Scholar and Visiting Scholar categories. The most recent were Lori Alvin in mathematics and Roger Sneed in religious studies in 2024-2025.

Bringing Technology and Opportunity Together

In collaboration with the University of Mpumalanga in South Africa, Muthukrishnan’s project focuses on developing innovative curricula, mentoring faculty and students and building the institutions capacity to integrate geospatial technologies, drone applications and experiential learning across natural and social sciences.

His official term as a Fulbright Specialist began in October 2025, with his first visit to South Africa planned for March 2026. During the initial visit, he will meet with faculty from multiple disciplines, conduct workshops and deliver talks aimed at identifying specific needs and opportunities for curricular enhancements and pedagogical improvements.

Later in the summer, Muthukrishnan will return to design and implement a new interdisciplinary course on drone and data technologies, lead advanced workshops and help University of Mpumalanga faculty incorporate project-based teaching strategies and workforce development into their courses.

“Engaging the local faculty in the curriculum development process is critical,” Muthukrishnan said.  “They understand community needs, available data sources and can design effective projects that empower students to solve real-world challenges.”

The initiative aims to build practical skills and create new job opportunities in fields that are shaping the future of technology and sustainability.

Building on a “Transformational” First Fulbright

Muthukrishnan first received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award in 2017, when he and his family journeyed to Malawi for a year. That experience, he said, changed the trajectory of his teaching and research.

“Professionally, it really helped me branch off in a direction I never would have taken otherwise,” he recalled.

During that time, Muthukrishnan co-founded the African Drone and Data Academy in partnership with UNICEF and Virginia Tech. The academy, now established in Malawi and Ethiopia, has trained more than 1,300 students from 28 African countries in geospatial and drone technologies, and is continuing to train and produce a highly skilled workforce within Africa.

Strengthening Global Connections

Muthukrishnan also hopes to deepen Furman’s ties with South Africa by creating collaborative research opportunities there for Furman students. “It can be a transformative experience for them, directly working on an active project abroad,” he said.

For Muthukrishnan, Fulbright’s purpose extends far beyond professional development.

“Beyond sharing the expertise, it’s about cultural exchange,” he said. “It’s about bridging cultures, sharing knowledge and working together toward peaceful collaboration. That’s the real goal of Fulbright.”

Current and former Furman faculty since 1964 who have been Fulbright U.S. Scholars

Lori Alvin – Mathematics – 2024-2025

Roger Sneed – Religious Studies – 2024-2025

Wade Worthen – Biology – 2022-2023

Laura Kennedy – Music – 2019-2020

Jason Hansen – History – 2018-2019

Suresh Muthukrishnan – Environmental Sciences – 2017-2018

Tami Blumenfield Kedar – Anthropology – 2015-2016

Charles Andersen – Environmental Sciences – 2014-2015

Mark Kilstofte – Arts – 2013-2014

Wendy Matsumura – Humanities – 2012-2013

Timothy Hanks – Physical Sciences – 2010-2011

Pongracz Sennyey – Professional/Other – 2010-2011

Courtney Tollison – History – 2009-2010

Daniel Koppelman – Music – 2007-2008

Michael Svec – Education – 2004-2005

Erik Ching – History – 2004-2005

Mark Woodard – Mathematics – 2002-2003

Nicholas Radel – Language – 1999-2000

William Teska – Environmental Sciences – 1998-1999

Edgar McKnight – Religious Studies – 1995-1996

William Teska – Environmental Sciences – 1991-1992

Edgar McKnight – Religious Studies – 1981-1982

Rudolph Bates – Department? 1967-1968

Thomas Flowers – History – 1966-1967

David Smith – History – 1965-1966

Edward Jones –  History – 1964-1965