IIT Guwahati signs collaboration MoU with Japan varsity lab

GUWAHATI: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India Japan Lab (IJL) of Keio University on Tuesday to collaborate on research projects, joint student supervision, developing new certificate courses, students and faculty exchange visits, etc.

According to the MoU, IIT Guwahati and India Japan Lab of Keio University will encourage faculty and students to work jointly for various capacity-building activities for mainstreaming disaster risk resilience as part of training courses; developing new certificate courses on specific topics related to disaster risk reduction; joint student supervision; students and faculty exchange visit for knowledge sharing; undertaking research projects; joint publication of articles/educational books.

Under this MoU, the Centre for Disaster Management and Research (CDMR) of IIT Guwahati will act as the nodal Centre from IITG. CDMR was established at IIT Guwahati in November, 2020 and the formal activities of this Centre started in January, 2021. The India Japan Lab of Keio University was established in 2019. Keio University is one of the oldest and largest private universities in Japan, established in 1858.

CDMR of IIT Guwahati will be the partner for various IJL training programs/ workshops for the North-East region. This partnership would pave the path for a closer relationship with Japan, the country which is known for its expertise in managing disasters and developing technologies in reducing risks from various kinds of disasters.

The MoU was signed by Prof TG Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, and Prof Rajib Shaw, Director, India Japan Lab, Keio University, in the presence of Dr Sudip Mitra, Head of Centre for Disaster Management and Research (CDMR), IIT Guwahati.

Prof Sitharam, in his speech mentioned the collaboration between Keio University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati will not only be a technical one but a social one too. He also suggested initiating the scope for a joint Master's programme by Keio University and IITG. He also mentioned the potential role that CDMR and Keio University could play in generating awareness about disaster risk reduction among school children.

Dr Mitra welcomed the dignitaries and mentioned the background of this MoU signing. He also stated the importance of this MoU for CDMR's future growth and international footprint.

Prof Shaw, the winner of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award of 2021, emphasized several key aspects of collaboration between these two institutions, such as the exchange programme, certification courses, internship, and summer school. He highlighted that this MoU will provide exposure to the young IIT-G students to get to various Japanese companies and learn the essence of entrepreneurship. He also mentioned the importance of technology and social innovation where IIT-G students could play an important role.

On this occasion, CDMR's logo was launched by Prof TG Sitharam and Prof Rajib Shaw. Prof Mitra explained the significance of this logo, which expresses the various forms of disaster and its impact on society and the protection that is provided by disaster management and risk reduction.

As the year 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relationship, this MOU is a step towards further strengthening mutual relationships and collaborating in the domain of research and academics. The MoU signing event was attended by the Dean, Alumni and External Relations; the Dean, Public Relations, Branding and Ranking, and faculty members of CDMR.

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