Srinagar, Sept 12: In a significant move to accelerate research and innovation, the University of Kashmir (KU) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen academic collaboration and drive breakthroughs in science and technology.
The MoU was formally signed by KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan and IIT Hyderabad Director Prof. B. S. Murty during the valedictory session of the five-day International Conference on Nanotechnology for Better Living (NBL-2025), jointly hosted by KU’s Department of Nanotechnology and IIT Hyderabad.
The event drew eminent scientists, academicians, industry leaders, researchers, and students from across India and abroad.
The MoU represents a landmark step towards long-term collaboration, paving the way for joint research projects in emerging and interdisciplinary areas of science and technology, faculty and student exchanges, enabling greater academic mobility and exposure , shared access to infrastructure and expertise between KU and IIT Hyderabad and innovation and commercialization opportunities, translating research into real-world impact.
“This collaboration is about building bridges between two premier institutions,” said VC KU Prof Nilofer Khan. She added “Together, we can push the frontiers of nanotechnology, foster innovation, and transform knowledge into solutions that benefit society.”
Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, Dean Academic Affairs KU, emphasized nanotechnology’s role in tackling contemporary challenges, reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering such partnerships for the growth of students and researchers.
Director IIT Hyderabad Prof. Murty lauded the scientific depth of NBL-2025 and said the collaboration would fuel impactful research, innovation, and capacity building in nanotechnology.
Earlier, Prof. Rabia Hamid, Head of KU’s Nanotechnology Department and conference convener, presented the conference report.
The five-day event, held in hybrid mode, attracted over 200 delegates and 50 invited speakers from across the globe, and explored nanotechnology-driven solutions for sustainable development, disaster management, medicine, and industry. She noted that the conference recommendations, once implemented, could position India as a global leader in nanotechnology while fostering economic growth and better living standards.
The conference also echoed the vision of Honourable Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha, who, while inaugurating NBL-2025 on September 7, had underlined the need for collaborative initiatives to leverage nanotechnology for disaster resilience, healthcare, and entrepreneurship ecosystems in the region.
The event concluded with the announcement of Best Paper Awards, distribution of certificates, and felicitation of the organising committee.
The valedictory session not only marked the conclusion of NBL-2025 but also the beginning of new collaborations and opportunities in frontier research.