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Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology sign partnership agreement with University of York

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology sign partnership agreement with University of York

Posted on 28 February 2024

The University of York has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in India.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will support academic collaboration across the two institutions in areas including sustainability, food systems, digital health, creative arts and technologies for the future.

It is envisaged the agreement will lead to a number of initiatives, including joint research, workshops, and the development of curriculum for teaching and training, as well as the opportunity for staff and students to work across both campuses.

Researchers will join experts at KIIT and ongoing work on food sustainability in Odisha, as part of the University of York’s STFC Food Network+ programme, which aims to transform food systems to provide food and nutrition for all, improve public health, and tackle global food shortages.

Healthy food systems

The network, led by Professor Sonal Choudhary, brings expertise from 26 countries together, as well as learnings from N8 Agri-food, IKnowFood, and FixOurFood projects, to contribute towards climate resilient and healthy food systems.

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, said: “The world’s food systems are highly complex, and made even more challenging as a result of climate change. As such we need experts from all over the world working together to come up with innovative solutions, supporting farmers, ensuring that economies can grow, and sustainable, quality produce can be accessed by all.

“This exciting new partnership with KIIT and the Government of Odisha will bring together experts in the areas of food security, environmental sustainability, future technologies, digital health, and the creative arts, to create new research opportunities, ensuring that efforts to find new solutions are shared locally, nationally and internationally.”

Centre of Excellence

In 2019 KIIT was recognised as an Institute of Eminence by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, and is known globally for its professional study programmes, particularly in science and engineering disciplines.

Experts at the University of York have proposed to co-develop a Centre of Excellence on Sustainable and Innovative Food Systems in Odisha, working with the State Government and KIIT University to help enhance the impact of research in this field on global food policies.

Dr Mrutyunjay Suar, CEO KIIT TBI, said: “We welcome our colleagues from the University of York and look forward to our staff and student exchanges and innovative projects together. In such challenging times working in partnership with experts near and far is crucial in shaping our future world and ensuring that the next generation can experience a more equitable, healthy, and secure society.”