IIT Guwahati strengthens international collaboration with universities in Canada, Japan

The MoU with Dalhousie University marks the inception of joint doctoral programs designed to foster dynamic research collaborations between scholars and students from both institutions.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has announced it signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with international educational institutions on March 3, 2024. The MoUs, signed with Dalhousie University, Canada and Gifu University, Japan, are for 5 years and may be further extended based on mutual understanding.

These partnerships were solidified during the 3-day event, the ‘Japan-NER Bioeconomic Technology Cooperation Symposium 2024’ (JNBTCS-2024), being hosted by IIT Guwahati from March 3, 2024 to March 5.

"The MoU with Dalhousie University marks the inception of joint doctoral programs designed to foster dynamic research collaborations between scholars and students from both institutions. By facilitating exchange programs for students and academic staff, fostering joint research activities, and promoting the sharing of research materials, this partnership aims to cultivate a rich academic environment conducive to groundbreaking discoveries and academic excellence," IIT Guwahati said in a statement.

Further, MoUs with Gifu University, Japan, are signed for the International Joint PhD Program, spanning a standard duration of three years. This program entails a collaborative course design by both universities, offering students a comprehensive educational experience.

Throughout their dissertation work, scholars will receive collective guidance and mentorship from faculty members at both the home and partner institutions. Research progress will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of experts from both universities, ensuring rigorous academic standards and fostering innovative research outcomes.

Further, an agreement has been forged for a 2-year ‘International Masters Joint Degree Program in Food Science and Technology’ between the two institutes. This program is guided by collaborative management between Gifu University and IIT Guwahati, facilitating coursework and dissertation evaluation for enrolled students.

Additionally, the program emphasises data sharing across institutions, aiming to cultivate highly skilled professionals in food science and related fields. This initiative is poised to address challenges in building a sustainable society by optimizing resource utilization and benefiting both regions.

IIT Guwahati has further collaborated with Gifu University to establish a ‘Glocal Expert Program,’ an international joint-certificate initiative under the Inter-University Exchange Project (IUEP). This program enables students to obtain certification from both universities as exchange students, fostering cross-cultural learning and enhancing global competencies.

“IIT Guwahati is committed to supporting students' academic and personal growth through these programs. The primary goal is for enriching the educational experience of students and noted that such cross-cultural opportunities would enable them to achieve that. In essence, the collaborations aim to provide students with diverse learning experiences and opportunities for growth, fostering a holistic educational environment at IIT Guwahati,” said Professor Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director of IIT Guwahati.