The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Samarkand State University (SamSU) have taken a significant step in Indo-Uzbek academic collaboration by signing two major agreements. These include a Letter of Intent to establish a Joint Master’s Degree Programme (JMDP) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster research and collaboration in hydrology, environmental science, sustainable energy, and SDGs.
The agreements were signed by Professor Khalmuradov Rustam Ibragimovich, Rector of SamSU, and Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, alongside a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable faculty members from both universities.
The Joint Master’s Degree Programme (JMDP), starting in July next year, is an MTech programme to facilitate students from both countries to study at the two institutions. The programme, developed between the Department of Hydrology at IIT Roorkee and SamSU’s Department of Hydrometeorology, will address critical global issues like water scarcity, climate change, and environmental degradation. It will also equip students and faculties of SamSU with advanced expertise in water resource management modelling and sustainability.
Furthermore, the initiative will allow IIT Roorkee to exploit its long-standing expertise and experience to provide actionable solutions to real-world problems in hydrology and related fields in Uzbekistan, as stated in a press release.
While addressing the event, Professor Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, stated that this collaboration will contribute to sustainable solutions for water and environmental issues, enhance academic excellence, and have a societal impact. Likewise, Prof Ibragimovich emphasized that the agreements underscore the commitment of both institutions to addressing pressing climate challenges and creating a platform for innovative research and education.
Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Dean of International Relations at IIT Roorkee, emphasized the importance of the partnership in expanding IIT Roorkee’s international footprint and fostering cross-cultural academic exchanges. Similarly, Dr. Muhtor Nasirov, Vice-Rector of International Relations at SAMSU, expressed excitement about the collaboration’s potential to drive global environmental sustainability and joint innovations. Prof. Naveen Navani, Dean of Academic Affairs at IIT Roorkee, emphasized that these MoUs will create new opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, research initiatives, and knowledge-sharing.
Professor Sumit Sen, Head of the Department of Hydrology; Professor Ankit Agarwal, Faculty member of the Department of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee, Professor Safarboy, Head of the Hydrology Department, and Dr Arindam Banik, ICCR’s Chair of Indian Studies (Economics), SamSU, were also present during the signing of these MoUs.
The collaboration sets a benchmark for Indo-Uzbek educational collaborations and is expected to significantly enhance the global standing of both institutions in the long run. By addressing global water challenges and climate change, the IIT Roorkee-SAMSU partnership paves the way for innovative academic initiatives that will have a lasting impact on future generations and foster deeper India-Uzbekistan relations.
IIT Roorkee is among the foremost institutes of national importance in higher technological education, engineering, and primary and applied research. Since its establishment, the Institute has played a vital role in providing the country with a technical workforce and know-how in pursuit of research. It has also been considered a trendsetter in the area of education and research in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. It offers Bachelor’s Degree courses in 10 disciplines of Engineering and Architecture and Postgraduate Degrees in 55 disciplines of Engineering, Applied Science, Architecture and planning.
