IIT Kanpur, BIT Mesra sign five-year agreement to boost joint research, internships, faculty exchange

The Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra (BIT Mesra) and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) have entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic collaboration, joint research and student and faculty exchange.

Commenting on the collaboration, Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra , 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. Strong institutions, capable researchers and a skilled workforce will be central to India's progress towards Viksit Bharat @2047.”

The MoU will cover five key areas, namely undergraduate and postgraduate research, student exchange and internships, joint supervision of Master's and PhD scholars, academic programmes, and training for staff and officers. It will also provide for joint research proposals to national and international funding agencies.

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IIT Kanpur, BIT Mesra MoU: Research, internship opportunities

Under the agreement, faculty members from both institutions can guide undergraduate research projects from the third year and postgraduate projects from the first semester. Master's and research scholars may have two or more supervisors from the participating institutions.

Arrangements relating to funding, academic credits, residency requirements and intellectual property, including publications and patents, will follow mutually agreed guidelines.

The IIT Kanpur, BIT Mesra collaboration will also include summer and winter internships, short-term courses, workshops, seminars, conferences and consultancy assignments. Both institutions may jointly organise Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) and micro-credit courses.

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Shared access to research facilities

Students and faculty members will have opportunities to access specialised research facilities at the partner institution. The agreement also provides for faculty exchange, professional development programmes and short-duration training for staff and officers.

For BIT Mesra students, the MoU will offer opportunities to participate in joint research projects, visit IIT Kanpur laboratories and pursue research under joint faculty supervision.

The agreement will be implemented through designated coordinators at both institutions, including their respective deans of research and academic affairs. The agreement was signed on November 3 between BIT Mesra Vice Chancellor and IIT Kanpur Director.