Amritsar, September 23– The Guru Nanak Dev University has taken a significant step toward fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar’s Technology and Innovation Foundation. The MoU establishes a strategic collaboration between IIT Ropar’s Agriculture & Water Technology Development Hub (iHub-AWaDH) and GNDU’s Golden Jubilee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (GJCEI) to address challenges in agriculture and water management through technological advancements and to establish a startup ecosystem in the state of Punjab.
In the presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu, the MoU was signed by Prof. (Dr.) Karanjeet Singh Kahlon, Registrar; Prof. (Dr.) Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Coordinator, University Industry Linkage Programme and Dean, Students’ Welfare; and Prof. (Dr.) Pratap Kumar Pati, Coordinator, GJCEI on behalf of the University. While representing IIT Ropar, Dr. RadhikaTarikha, Chief Executive Officer of iHub-AWaDH, signed the agreement. Prof. Sarbjot Singh Behl, Department of Architecture, and Dr. Ravinder Kumar, Head Department of Electronics Technology were also precent.
This collaboration is set to focus on key areas, including water and land resource development, agricultural automation, and the application of IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture and water management. It aligns with the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, promoting technological solutions to the sustainable use and rejuvenation of natural resources. The partnership will further promote entrepreneurship, focusing on supporting deep-tech startups in agriculture and water technology. In addition to research and innovation, the MoU includes provisions for personnel exchanges, joint supervision of student projects, and collaborative efforts in applying for national and international funding. This will also include organizing joint conferences, workshops, and outreach activities to strengthen academic and entrepreneurial efforts in the region.
Prof. (Dr.) Sandhu expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This MoU underscores GNDU’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in collaboration with prestigious institutions like IIT Ropar, ensuring that Punjab remains at the forefront of technological advancements in agriculture and other allied fields. Such collaborations are essential for regional and national development.” He also directed Prof. Pratap Kumar Pati to explore further collaborative opportunities with IIT Ropar in agriculture, engineering, and related disciplines.
Prof. Bedi emphasized that this MoU aims to foster joint research, education, and policy initiatives. He highlighted that by integrating AI, IoT, and cyber-physical systems, both institutions can tackle the pressing challenges in agriculture while conserving vital resources like water. GNDU and IIT Ropar are committed to fostering an entrepreneurial culture that bridges research and practical application, ensuring that innovative solutions reach real-world challenges.