IIT Kanpur, University of California join for academic, research collaborations

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA (UCSC) have signed an agreement for joint academic and research collaborations.

Professor Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur and Professor Dhirendra Katti, Dean of International Relations, from IIT Kanpur and Dr Cynthia Larive, Chancellor, UCSC, and Becky George, Assistant Vice Provost of Global Engagement at UCSC, on behalf of UCSC have signed the formal agreement.

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The research collaborations will cater to areas in Computer Science and Engineering and Biological Sciences and Bioengineering. The agreement will provide opportunities for both institutes to share their expertise, knowledge, and resources to further research and development in these fields.

Commenting on the signing of the MoU, Professor Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, "We are delighted to partner with the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA, for furthering joint academic initiatives and research collaborations. The MoU marks a significant step in IIT Kanpur’s relentless efforts to forge joint international collaborations across domains. We are confident that this partnership will create new opportunities for our students and faculty members in the form of symposiums, exchange programmes, joint publications and so on. We look forward to working closely with UCSC to strengthen this partnership further."

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The exchange of faculty members between the two institutes will enable researchers to work collaboratively on important research initiatives, leveraging the strengths of each institution to address complex scientific challenges. The joint supervision of PhD students will enable students to receive guidance and mentorship from faculty members at both institutions, broadening their knowledge and perspectives.

The agreement will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, bioinformatics and biotechnology among others. It will enable researchers to conduct interdisciplinary research projects, leveraging the strengths of each institution to address complex challenges in these fields.

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Michelle Whittingham, Associate Vice-Chancellor of Enrollment Management at UCSC; John Pine, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Engagement at UCSC; Anna Finn, Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff, UCSC; Professor S Ganesh, Deputy Director, IITK; Professor A R Harish, Dean of Research and Development, IITK; Professor Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IITK; Professor Kantesh Balani, Dean of Resources and Alumni, IITK and Rajeev Ranjan, President of IITK Foundation, USA were also present at the ceremony.