IIT Kanpur signs Cooperation Agreement with Rice University, USA, to further enrich academic and research collaboration
Kanpur : The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and William Marsh Rice University, USA signed a cooperation agreement today at a ceremony held at IIT Kanpur. A delegation from the Rice University visited IIT Kanpur and took stock of various research and development work of the institute. IIT Kanpur already have an on-campus Rice-IITK Collaborative Center working in the areas of Sustainable Energy, Materials, Water, Alternative Fuels, etc. This new agreement offers the two universities newer avenues to work towards collaborative teaching, training, and research in areas of mutual interest.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur and Prof. Reginald DesRoches, President, Rice University. Prof. S. Ganesh, Deputy Director and Prof. Dhirendra Katti, Dean of International Relations from IITK and Prof. Seiichi Matsuda, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; Prof. Luay Nakhleh, Dean of George R. Brown School of Engineering; and Prof. Pulickel Ajayan, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering from Rice University were also present at the ceremony.
The agreement sets out guidelines for the two universities to develop joint research and academic engagements broadly in the areas of Engineering, Sciences, Medicine/Healthcare, Humanities and Management/Business. The initial phase of the engagements will focus on the areas of energy/environment, healthcare/biomedical sciences/biomedical engineering and data science/information technology/computer science & engineering.
Upon signing the agreement, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director IIT Kanpur said, “IIT Kanpur’s collaboration with Rice University has been going from strength to strength. Under the Rice-IITK Collaborative Center, we have initiated important joint research, organized a virtual joint symposium for faculty collaborations and have provided once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our students. I am sure this next chapter of our partnership will lead to strengthening our relations further.”
“I believe Rice’s partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur will be the jewel in the crown of our efforts in India,” said Rice President Reginald DesRoches, who sees the continued expansion of Rice Global as a top presidential priority.
As part of this agreement, IIT Kanpur and Rice University will explore opportunities for student exchange activities; joint research and publications; and organizing joint conferences and workshops that involve scholars, policy makers, and business leaders from around the world. On the academic front, the agreement will lead the development of undergraduate or postgraduate coursework units jointly taught by IIT Kanpur and Rice University faculty; and the establishment of a joint PhD/Masters/Bachelors-Masters program.
The Rice-IITK Collaborative Center has been active at IIT Kanpur since its inauguration in 9th January, 2020. The Centre has been spearheading crucial research work in key areas such as Sustainable Energy, Materials, Water, and Alternative Fuels, among others. The focus has largely been on developing materials and processes for solar photovoltaics, energy storage, alternative fuels, electrocatalysis, and water treatment and remediation. This new agreement will further accelerate the existing work and would open up newer scope of mutual interest among the two institutes.