Norwegian Ambassador, Mr Nils Kamsvag Ragnår visits IIT Roorkee on Indo-Norway Research Partnerships
Roorkee: Norwegian Ambassador to India, H.E. Mr. Nils Kamsvag Ragnår visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee today. The visit focussed on showcasing the technological advancements undertaken by IIT Roorkee through various projects around the campus. Mr. Ragnår visited the Alternate Hydro Energy Centre at IIT Roorkee to understand the research work and various facilities including international level hydraulic turbine R&D laboratory for Hydro Power being undertaken by the Institute. He has shown a keen interest in newly developed Hydro Kinetic turbine system which has been tested in the nearby canal as floating device developed by IIT Roorkee, which generates electricity from the water surface.
The Ambassador also visited the Earthquake Engineering Department, where research on earthquake hazard and risk reduction is currently underway. The department also showcased the ‘Early Earthquake Warning System’, which has been deployed across certain regions in Uttarakhand. As part of the visit, the ambassador has a detailed meeting with the Director and discussed the scope of research collaborations and student exchange programmes.
On his visit, the Norwegian Ambassador to India, Mr. Nils Kamsvag Ragnår said, “India and Norway have always had cordial relations and there is a huge scope of partnership between the two countries in the realm of science. It has been an interesting visit to IIT Roorkee and the kind of path-breaking research being undertaken here is important for the development of nations across the world.”
Talking about the visit by the Ambassador of Norway, Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee said, “It was an honour for us to host H.E. Mr. Nils Kamsvag Ragnår. This was a great opportunity for us to discuss the various research possibilities between the two nations as well as showcase the work being done by IIT Roorkee. We sincerely hope that this visit and discussion with pave way for many important research projects, students and technology exchanges in the near future.”
IIT Roorkee is currently partnering with Norwegian Institute of Science and technology (NTNU) for designing turbine suitable for sediment laden water In Himalaya and Research Council of Norway under a project granted by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) on the topic of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The main purpose of this association is to increase Indo-Norwegian research and development cooperation in the Department of Biotechnology.
Speaking about the research partnership, Mr. Nils Kamsvag Ragnår, Norwegian Ambassador said, “Research associations between scientists and academicians like the one between IIT Roorkee and the Research Council of Norway, is a huge step towards fighting the menace of Antimicrobial Resistance. I believe this a great initiative and efforts by the scholars, will definitely generate positive outcome and lead us to a better future.”