Guwahati: The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Dalhousie University in Canada, and the Gifu University in Japan to promote academic research.

"The MoUs have been signed for five years and may be extended based on mutual understanding", the IIT-G said in a statement. The key highlights of the agreements include the establishment of a joint doctoral program at Dalhousie University and the establishment of an International Joint PhD Program at Gifu University. 

Dalhousie University is a public research university in Nova Scotia, Canada, with three campuses in Halifax, a fourth in Bible Hill, and a second medical school campus in Saint John, New Brunswick. The Gifu University is a national university located in the city of Gifu in Japan's Gifu Prefecture and offers a wide variety of courses.

According to the IIT-G, the new program would aim to foster research collaborations between scholars and students, promoting joint research activities and research material sharing. "The collaboration also includes a 2-year International Masters Joint Degree Program in Food Science and Technology, focusing on data sharing and fostering highly skilled professionals in food science and related fields", read the statement.

The Glocal Expert Program, an international joint-certificate initiative under the inter-university exchange project, enables students to obtain certification from both universities as exchange students.

“IIT Guwahati is committed to supporting the student's academic and personal growth through these programs", Professor Rajeev Ahuja, the officiating director of IIT Guwahati, said. "The primary goal is to enrich the educational experience of students and such cross-cultural opportunities would enable them to achieve that. In essence, the collaborations aim to provide students with diverse learning experiences and opportunities for growth, fostering a holistic educational environment at IIT Guwahati.”

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