MoU inked for enhanced academic programmes & research activities

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Education or teaching in the broad sense can be understood as a comprehensive act that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual. Significant steps have been taken by India in leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency of inclusive and integrated schemes in the field of education. In recent developments, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Institute of Space science and Technology (IIST) and The Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), for carrying out the Academic programmes and Research activities involving students and faculty members in each institution signed on 9th April 2021 and 17th May 2021 at respective institutes.

*Collaborated efforts to carry academic programmes*

The MoU that has been inked between the two institutes aims to facilitate the exchange of faculty members, students, researchers, scientific material, publication, information and conducting joint research meetings, PhD programmes, dual degree and double degree programmes. In the MoU, various aspects of the programme have been covered including:

– Students exchange programme: The MoU states that the institutes may exchange students at various levels, including, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. The institutes hold the power to mutually discuss and decide the areas of studies and credits to be pursued under the scheme. The Practicum exchange programme has been agreed by the institutes for degree training and hence, follows the educational system and regulations of the hosting partner.

– Dual Degree/Double Degree Programme: Specialized curriculum has been developed by the institutes to be pursued by students for the award of either undergraduate or postgraduate degree, which will be in addition to the initial degree to be awarded by the home Institute.

– Internships and Project Work: MoU states that the institutes may design and develop research of engineering project assignments which will be pursued by students during their stay both short term and long term, in the partner institute.

– Faculty Exchange: The institutes in position can consider a Faculty exchange programme during which their faculty member will offer courses in the partner institute, for which the course contents will be developed jointly.

– Joint Research: The faculty members of both parties may identify the joint research programme in common areas of interest with defined duration.

*New opportunities in the field of Science & Technology*

The collaborative efforts and cooperation with EWI, TU Delft, The Netherlands, the largest Dutch public Technological University through this agreement would develop a joint activity in research in the area of Science and Technology. Thus, this collaboration will benefit all sections and regions of the country. The signed Agreement will open new windows of possibilities and opportunities in newer research activities and applications in the field of Science and Technology.

Apart from this, earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Netherlands, Mark Rutte co-chaired a Virtual Summit between India and the Netherlands. The two leaders welcomed the ongoing cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation, focusing on coherence in strategic priorities, launching public-private partnerships and connecting entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. They reflected on the growing impact of the upcoming Key Enabling Technologies like artificial intelligence, cyber and quantum towards solving societal challenges and contributing to the economy.