IIT Bhubaneswar and ILS Collaborate on Vaccine Development and Technical Education

Bhubaneswar, 30th May 2024: To explore opportunities for collaboration in technical education and research, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS). The MoU was signed by Prof. Rajesh Roshan Dash, Dean of Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy (SRIC) (In-Charge) at IIT Bhubaneswar, and Prof. Debasis Dash, Director of the Institute of Life Sciences, in the presence of Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, on 30th May 2024.

The MoU aims to foster collaboration between these two premier institutions to enhance technical education, especially in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology, thereby improving academic practices and building the research capabilities of students and faculty members. Both institutes have agreed to undertake research projects, with a special focus on developing a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis. According to the MoU, faculty members from IIT Bhubaneswar and ILS will collaborate and train students of both institutions based on mutually agreed programs. They will also jointly organize symposia, colloquia, workshops, seminars, and conferences on selected topics and areas to train students, and conduct joint research projects aligned with the specific interests of individual faculty members from both institutes.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, stated: “This collaboration with ILS will enhance the research ecosystem in various life sciences fields, helping save human lives from various diseases and natural ailments. IIT Bhubaneswar, as a technical knowledge provider, looks forward to this association to foster innovation in this field.”

Prof. Dash, Director of ILS, commented: “This MoU between two premier institutions of India will transform research in biological sciences and help Odisha create a benchmark in this domain. The special focus on developing a vaccine for tuberculosis prevention will boost ongoing efforts towards this goal.”

Others present at the occasion included Dr. Sunil K. Raghav, Dr. Anshuman Dixit, Dr. Tushar Kant Beuria, Dr. Dayanidhi Pradhan from ILS, and Prof. Shantanu Pal, Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Prof. Ashwini Nanda, Centre Director of AHRC, and Prof. Ashis Biswas, Associate Dean of Alumni Affairs & International Relations from IIT Bhubaneswar.