The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and IIT, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, on November 27 have come together by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start a joint doctoral programme in July 2021.
Directors of both the Institutes, Prof. TG Sitharam of IIT Guwahati, and Prof Pramod Kumar Jain of IIT (BHU) told that it would be the first time that two Indian IITs have collaborated to offer a joint degree programme.
Prof. TG Sitharam first suggested the concept of this joint PhD programme at the 53rd IIT Council Meeting held on 27th September 2019.
IIT Guwahati said the vision behind this agreement is to build a "Network of Excellence" of all IITs rather than each one trying to become a "Tower of Excellence".
The IIT Council has accepted the proposal to start Joint Degree Programs.
Both institutes are positive about this joint venture and believe that this academic collaboration will advance and boost high-quality research and foundation for further academic collaborations.
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Under the National Education Policy2020 (NEP), such academic collaborations between premier educational institutes is a way to promote multidisciplinary academic programs along with research for encouraging and promoting a knowledge-based economy of the country.
IIT BHU is also reflecting to inaugurate a joint MTech programme similar to the above policy to provide multi-institutional and multidisciplinary MTech programs and IIT Guwahati has shown interest in this idea and has also agreed to be part of this initiative.