IIT Kharagpur signed two MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) and Research for Resurgence Foundation (RFRF) on strategic collaboration and mutual cooperation in research, sharing of knowledge & resources. AARDO will cooperate with IIT KGP to achieve common objectives in the field of agriculture and rural development through technological innovations, solutions, interventions and capacity enhancement to benefit and strengthen rural societies by establishing cordial ties, strengthening cooperation and initiating an association between the two organizations for the benefit of rural communities in Africa and Asia. With RFRF, it is a strong academic collaboration by mutually undertaking joint responsibilities and activities in their respective field of excellence, research, resources, knowledge and personnel along with effective and efficient engagement towards strengthening and streamlining research in scientific and technology development, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
African-Asian Rural Development Organization, New Delhi comprises of thirty three members, including thirty one countries, developing an understanding among members for better addressal of problems and to collectively explore, opportunities towards coordinated efforts for the welfare and eradication of thirst, hunger, illiteracy, disease and poverty among the rural people in the African-Asian region. This association will recognize the need for enhancing self-reliance, economic resilience and social well-being of the people through sustainable livelihoods, quality of life, reduced drudgery through innovative machine and process development and creation of safe and healthy environment in the member countries. Both the organization will act as a forum to facilitate the exchange of views and ideas for continuing dialogues on innovative and suitable models of cooperation for agricultural and rural development.
Prof V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur remarked, “These associations will augment a holistic growth towards building an inclusive technological amalgamation enhancing self-reliance, economic flexibility, community development and sustainable ecosystem. Channelizing knowledge transfer and access to domestic innovations will strengthen rural community and build solutions for them. IIT KGP’s frontier areas of research has contributed to various domains through affordable technologies and smart solutions and it will continue to do so.”
Research for Resurgence Foundation referred to as RFR Foundation is founded by voluntary organization Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal under Bombay Public Trust. RFRF is one of the vertical of Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal working in field of education since 1969. The core objective of RFR Foundation is to bring paradigm shift in research outcome, research methodology and innovation-based technologies, ensuring Bharatiya prospective, philosophy and applicability. The RFR Foundation is a multi-domain research institute and a network hub of research and allied activities in academics and industrial sector. The areas of collaboration for both the institutes will indulge in promotion of joint entrepreneurship programmes and start-ups along with support in execution, monitoring and evaluation process of various research activities.
Prof Goutam Chakraborty, Associate Dean, International Relations stated, “Both the MoUs are very important for the development of our Institute. While the one with AARDO will help us to reach out to 31 nations through sharing of expertise enhanced by technical innovation, the other with RFRF will help to reach into the glorious past of our nation through research on Bharatiya Knowledge Systems and transform its present.
Content Writer:- Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007
