NDIAN Bureau of Mines (IBM) and Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), a premier engineering and research institute in Nagpur, signed an agreement recently for collaboration in research, technical studies, development of innovative solutions in mining engineering. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Pankaj Kulshrestha, Controller General, IBM and Prof. Prem Lal Patel, Director, VNIT, Nagpur in the presence of Dr Y G Kale, CCOM (MDR); V J K Babu, CCOM (MES), Dr D R Kanungo, Director (I/c), MPD; Prof. Yashwant B. Katpatal, Dean (R&C), VNIT; Dr Manmohan Dass Goel, Associate Dean (CII), VNIT; Dr Nikhil N. Sirdesai, Coordinator, VNIT. From IBM, senior officers including, S K Adhikari, CMG; P K Bhattacharjee, COM (P&C); D S Walde, CME, B L Gurjar, COM (Central); and Pushpender Gaur, COM (MTS) were prominently present on the occasion. Pankaj Kulshrestha, CG, IBM, emphasised that the signing of MoU will be mutually beneficial for furthering research, innovation and skill development in mining studies for both the organisation. Dr Y G Kale, CCOM outlined the thrust areas that IBM has been tasked with. Prof. Prem Lal Patel, Director, VNIT provided a brief outline on the research facilities and academic capabilities at VNIT. He also thanked IBM for considering VNIT as one of the research partners.

 

Prof. Patel further stressed that the collaboration will focus on research, internships, academic programmes, and skill development studies. The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between IBM and VNIT, covering provisions related to the obligations of both the parties on funding and payment, ownership of intellectual property, confidentiality and publications. The MoU reflects the shared commitment of both the institutions to enhance cooperation and promote knowledge exchange. Through this collaboration, IBM and VNIT will collaborate on research and consultancy projects, support technology-driven and sustainable mining practices, foster digital transformation, organize training programmes, capacity building, skill development workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The collaboration reflects IBM and VNIT’s shared commitment to advance scientific research, and to promote sustainable, effective and innovative mining ecosystem in the country.