BIT Mesra Partners with IIT Kanpur for Groundbreaking Joint Research and Student Exchange Program, ETEducation

New Delhi: Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra (BIT Mesra) and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand academic engagement and joint research between the two institutions. The agreement, which may be extended by mutual consent, was signed by Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.The agreement establishes a framework for student and faculty exchange, joint supervision of research scholars, access to specialised facilities and joint academic programmes. It also provides for collaborative research proposals to national and international funding agencies.Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra, said, “Our collaboration with IIT Kanpur represents an important milestone in BIT Mesra’s pursuit of academic excellence, impactful research and innovation-led growth. 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 covers five areas: undergraduate and postgraduate research, student exchange and internships, joint Master’s and Ph.D. supervision, academic programmes, and training for staff and officers.Under the research component, faculty members from both institutions will jointly guide undergraduate projects from the third year onwards and postgraduate projects from the first semester. Students may also receive technical assistance and undertake planned institutional visits as part of their work. At the Master’s and Ph.D. levels, scholars may have two or more guides from the participating institutions.Student exchange provisions include summer and winter internships, short-term courses and workshops at either institution. The two institutes may also organise GIAN and micro-credit courses, seminars, workshops, conferences and consultancy assignments.For BIT Mesra students, the agreement provides opportunities to participate in joint research projects, visit IIT Kanpur’s specialised laboratories and take part in exchange programmes and internships, subject to the terms of individual activities. Eligible Master’s and Ph.D. scholars may also pursue research under the joint supervision of faculty members from both institutions.