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The agreement establishes a five-year framework, extendable by mutual consent, covering collaborative research, joint supervision of students, faculty and student exchange, academic programmes and technology-driven innovation.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra and Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar. The signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Raju Poddar, Dean of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RIE), BIT Mesra and Dr. Rajesh Jain, Registrar, BIT Mesra, along with senior officials and faculty members from both institutions.
"This collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar marks another important milestone in BIT Mesra's pursuit of academic excellence, impactful research, and innovation-led growth," said Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra. Prof. Raju Poddar said, "Through this partnership, we aim to strengthen interdisciplinary research, create meaningful opportunities for our students and faculty and contribute to national priorities through collaborative research, innovation and technology development."
Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, said, "This partnership reflects the shared vision of IIT Bhubaneswar and BIT Mesra to promote collaborative research, academic excellence and knowledge exchange. By combining the strengths of our institutions, we look forward to creating impactful research outcomes, developing innovative technologies and preparing future leaders capable of addressing national and global challenges."
The partnership brings together two premier institutions committed to excellence in higher education and research. BIT Mesra, established in 1955, has developed a vibrant research ecosystem supported by national funding agencies, industry collaborations and world-class research infrastructure. Between 2020 and 2026, the Institute secured 283 sponsored research projects with ₹120.73 crore in research grants, executed over 100 consultancy projects and published 118+ patents. Its Central Instrumentation Facility, equipped with more than 100 sophisticated analytical instruments and advanced laboratories in artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, renewable energy, electric mobility, biomedical technologies and other emerging areas continue to support cutting-edge research and innovation.
IIT Bhubaneswar, established in 2008 as an Institute of National Importance, has rapidly emerged as one of India's leading centres for engineering education, scientific research and technological innovation. The Institute is recognized for its strong interdisciplinary research programmes spanning engineering, basic sciences, earth and climate sciences, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and sustainable technologies.
The MoU provides a comprehensive framework for collaboration encompassing joint supervision of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students; student exchange and internship programmes; collaborative research projects; faculty exchange; joint consultancy; seminars, workshops, conferences, GIAN courses, micro-credit programmes; and specialized training programmes for faculty, staff and officers. The agreement also encourages joint submission of research proposals to national and international funding agencies, collaborative intellectual property creation and commercialization and effective utilization of research expertise and facilities available at both institutions. A Joint MoU Implementation Committee, comprising representatives from both institutions, will oversee the implementation of collaborative activities and conduct periodic reviews to ensure effective execution.
For students and researchers of BIT Mesra, the collaboration opens new avenues for joint research, academic exchange, access to IIT Bhubaneswar's research facilities, co-supervision of postgraduate and doctoral research and participation in specialized academic and innovation programmes. The partnership is expected to significantly strengthen interdisciplinary research, enhance academic mobility, and foster innovation-driven learning.
The collaboration aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes multidisciplinary education, institutional partnerships, research excellence and innovation. By leveraging their complementary strengths, BIT Mesra and IIT Bhubaneswar aim to undertake collaborative initiatives in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, energy, climate resilience, environmental sustainability and other emerging technologies relevant to India's scientific and technological advancement.
The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks another significant milestone in BIT Mesra's continuing efforts to build strategic partnerships with leading institutions of national importance. The collaboration is expected to enhance academic excellence, strengthen research and innovation, promote technology development and create new opportunities for students, researchers and faculty members of both institutions, while contributing meaningfully to India's vision of becoming a global knowledge and innovation leader.
