AUT strengthens ties with India
AUT continues to strengthen bilateral ties with India through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India’s top ranked technical university and a visit from the Indian High Commissioner.
AUT has signed an MOU with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, the first agreement between IIT Madras and any university in New Zealand.
The MOU formalised the well-established history between the two universities which has included joint research activities, funding applications and collaborative post-graduate programmes.
Professor Guy Littlefair, Pro Vice-Chancellor International and Dean of Design and Creative Technologies at AUT said the two institutions are both very much at the fore of innovation and applied research. “The opportunities presented in this partnership will allow both students and staff tremendous prospects to enhance bi-national relations for the benefit of both countries and universities,” said Professor Littlefair.
This was endorsed by Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean Global Engagement at IIT Madras who said the agreement will allow “mobility of students, joint research and joint supervision of students and collaborative masters and doctoral programmes.” The MOU means AUT students will get the opportunity to complete their final year project or internship at the prestigious IIT Madras which is an exciting prospect for all students and especially for those of Indian origin.
IIT Madras is the number one ranked technical university in India and is known globally for its research capabilities. Its location in Chennai brings students and educational partners closer to India’s hub for information technology, industrial consultancy and the automotive sector.
The MOU was signed virtually and will take effect in 2021.
COVID-19 has meant some planned student exchange initiatives will be delayed; but work is already underway with academics and potential online student internships. Recently, AUT supported IIT Madras as foreign collaborator for joint research funding application with their Department of Science and Technology and the Government of India. New Zealand students will get a chance to do their internships/final year project at IIT madras considering the feel and excitement associated with studying at IIT especially for Indian origin students”.
High Commissioner of India His Excellency Mr Muktesh Pardeshi and Second Secretary Mr Paramjeet Singh recently met with AUT Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack, Professor Guy Littlefair, Indian-origin academics, and international students. Following the formal meeting, the official party also enjoyed a tour of AUT City Campus.