IIT Kanpur, BIT Mesra sign five-year pact for joint research, student exchanges

IIT Kanpur and BIT Mesra have signed a five-year academic and research agreement. The collaboration expands exchanges, shared supervision, internships, training and access to specialised facilities.IIT Kanpur and BIT Mesra have signed a five-year academic and research agreement.The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding expanding academic engagement and joint research, news agency Press Trust of India reported on Tuesday.The agreement will support student and faculty exchanges, joint supervision of research, academic programmes, internships and staff training at the two institutions.IIT Kanpur Director Professor Manindra Agrawal and BIT Mesra Vice-Chancellor Professor Indranil Manna signed the agreement.Commenting on the partnership, Manna said, “Through this partnership, we aim to create new opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in advanced research, benefit from specialised academic expertise and work on challenges that have national relevance.” He said strong institutions, capable researchers and a skilled workforce would be central to India's progress towards Viksit Bharat @2047.“By bringing together the academic strengths and research capabilities of both institutions, we aim to contribute to the national goal through joint research, technology development and the preparation of graduates equipped to address the country's emerging scientific and technological needs,” Manna said.FIVE AREAS OF ACADEMIC COLLABORATION The agreement covers five areas: undergraduate and postgraduate research, student exchanges and internships, joint supervision of Master's and PhD students, academic programmes, and training for staff and officers, according to the statement cited by Press Trust of India.Faculty members from both institutions will jointly guide undergraduate research projects from the third year and postgraduate projects from the first semester. Students will also be able to attend summer and winter internships, short-term courses and workshops at either institution.SHARED LABS, FACULTY EXCHANGES AND TRAININGThe agreement also provides for shared access to research facilities, faculty exchange and development programmes, and short-term training for staff and officers.BIT Mesra students will be able to participate in joint research projects, visit specialised laboratories at IIT Kanpur and take part in exchange programmes and internships, subject to the terms of each activity, the statement said.Overall, the five-year partnership seeks to combine the academic and research strengths of IIT Kanpur and BIT Mesra while creating more research, training and exchange opportunities for their students, faculty and staff.- Ends