IIT Roorkee, Bhilai collaborate on tribal development, promotion of IKS

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and IIT Bhilai signed an agreement to strengthen the academic and research collaboration between the two institutions. The IITs have agreed to jointly organize seminars, symposiums, conferences, workshops, and short-term training programmes.

Through the partnership, the two IITs aim to preserve and promote Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and seek to contribute to socio-economic development in tribal areas, emphasizing research on traditional medicinal plants, tribal culture studies, agricultural practices in tribal regions, and financial literacy among tribal populations.

This collaboration shows the institutions’ step towards fostering awareness among the youth about Indian culture and heritage, aligning with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Moreover, the partnership will actively support the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems into the education system.

The agreement was signed at IIT Bhilai by the heads of both institutions, professor K K Pant, director IIT Roorkee and professor Rajiv Prakash, director IIT Bhilai.

“IIT Roorkee is glad to collaborate with IIT Bhilai, and this MoU reflects our commitment to fostering groundbreaking solutions for today’s education system. Through this collaboration, we aim to bridge the gap between ancient and modern education, facilitating both basic and translational research, and contributing to our shared vision of 'Viksit Bharat' – a developed India," said IIT Roorkee director.

Professor Prakash said, “this partnership will create new opportunities for research and development. It will also promote our ancient knowledge and our heritage.”

Both IITs commit to exchange knowledge and promote Indian culture, Indian Knowledge systems and develop projects on sustainable and rural development, ancient Indian science, Fintech, health Science, agriculture, artificial intelligence, complementary and alternative medicine, life management, environment, renewable energy, food processing, tourism management, languages, peace and conciliation, music, humanities and common interest.

Both directors expressed their happiness on the addition of this new chapter in the partnership of IIT Roorkee and IIT Bhilai, and also offered full support from their side in fostering long lasting and mutually beneficial collaborations between the two institutions.