In a significant step towards strengthening India’s defence-oriented research ecosystem and advanced technological education, the National Institute of Technology Raipur, an Institute of National Importance, and the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune, an autonomous institution under the Department of Defence Research and Development, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to foster robust academic, research, and technological collaboration.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on February 1, 2026, in the esteemed presence of Professor N. V. Ramana Rao, Director, National Institute of Technology Raipur, and Dr. B. H. V. S. Narayana Murthy, Vice-Chancellor, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology Pune, along with Dr. S. Sanyal, Dean (Corporate Relations and Resource Mobilization), and senior officials and faculty members from both institutions.

The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for cooperation in areas of mutual academic and research interest, with a strong focus on defence applications, advanced scientific research and development, postgraduate education, and skill development. Both institutions will actively promote the exchange of scientists, faculty members, and researchers to undertake collaborative research projects, joint publications, teaching assignments, curriculum development, and supervision of students.

A major highlight of the collaboration is the proposed development of jointly designed postgraduate academic programmes, including co-supervision of master’s and doctoral research scholars. The agreement also enables mutual access to specialized laboratories, advanced software tools, and research infrastructure, thereby strengthening hands-on research and innovation capabilities. In addition, the partnership envisages the introduction of joint certificate programmes, short-term training courses, faculty development initiatives, and defence-application-oriented skill enhancement programmes.

The Memorandum of Understanding identifies several emerging and strategically important thrust areas for focused collaboration, including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Data Science, Digital Forensics, Internet of Things, Robotics, Renewable Energy Technologies, Quantum Computing, and other strategic and advanced technologies. The collaboration also opens avenues for the possible establishment of joint Centres of Excellence in select domains of national importance.

The partnership is expected to significantly enhance research output, academic quality, innovation capacity, and technology development with strong societal and strategic relevance, particularly in the defence and national security sectors.

Dr. Nitesh K. Bharadwaj from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, National Institute of Technology Raipur, and Dr. Sunil Chandel, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Raipur, have been nominated as coordinators to oversee and facilitate all collaborative activities between the two institutions.

The MoU marks an important milestone in strengthening institutional linkages between premier technical institutions and defence research establishments, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in advanced technologies and defence innovation.

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RDJ

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