September 21, 2006

McCormick partners with Indian Institute of Technology

The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB).

The MoU encompasses collaborative research activities as well as undergraduate and graduate student exchange programs. The agreement will enable faculty of both institutions to collaborate on a wide range of research topics, with special emphasis in the fields of advanced materials, nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, manufacturing and technology management.

“We are excited to enhance the collaborative ties with IIT Bombay,” said Julio M. Ottino, dean of the McCormick School. “We look forward to joint scholarly activities to create vibrant, sustainable and innovative research programs. This agreement should provide for unique learning experiences for students of both institutions to expand the learning and scholarly opportunities in this increasingly global world of science, technology and education.”

Professor Ashok Misra, director of IITB, said, “This will provide a great opportunity to the faculty and research scholars from both institutions to embark on interdisciplinary research collaborations and to extend intellectual ties beyond national borders.”

Coordinators of this collaborative program are Vinayak P. Dravid, professor of materials science and engineering, and Ajit Tamhane, professor and chair of industrial engineering and management sciences, both alumni of IITB. They have indicated that there have already been tangible and quantitative interactions between the two institutions, resulting in several faculty exchanges, extended graduate student visits, and collaborative funding from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology of India.

An important aspect of this agreement is the exchange of undergraduate students between the two institutions, which will broaden the scope of the educational experience and offer students new and innovative courses.

The collaborative venture with IIT Bombay is part of McCormick’s strategic initiative for international outreach.