A delegation from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, led by Director Prof. K.K. Pant, along with Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Dean of International Relations, Prof. Akshay Dvivedi, Dean of Sponsored Research & Industry Consultancy, Prof. D.S. Arya, Dean of Administration, Prof. Ankit Agarwal, Department of Hydrology visited the University of Potsdam on November 18, 2024, marking another milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions.
The delegation met with key members of the faculty:
- Steffen Weber Head of the Science and Research Department, Universität Potsdam
- Katharina Schmitt International Office Leiterin, Universität Potsdam
- Prof. Dr. Alexander Böker Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bruno Merz Helmholtz Zentrum POTSDAM
- Prof. Dr. Daniel Karthe Head of Research Program NEXUS, UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources
This partnership, rooted in shared research interests in environmental sciences and risk assessment, has flourished over the years, exemplified by impactful initiatives such as the “NatRiskChange” graduate school and the “Co-PREPARE” project.
Launched in 2020, the “Co-PREPARE” project focuses on analyzing, assessing, and predicting natural hazards in the Himalayan region and Europe. This initiative, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on the German side, highlights the significance of cross-border academic collaboration. Notably, it was initiated by an Indian doctoral student from the “NatRiskChange” graduate school who is now a professor at IIT Roorkee, showcasing the transformative impact of such collaborations.
Looking ahead, both institutions aim to expand their partnership into new disciplines, including computer science, materials research, biodegradable plastics, and clean energy. They also plan to enhance efforts in knowledge and technology transfer, areas where both IIT Roorkee and the University of Potsdam excel in their respective countries.
The visit also paved the way for exploring regional collaborations between the Indian state of Uttarakhand and the German state of Brandenburg. Follow-up discussions are planned to take place in India early next year.
Prof. Oliver Günther, President of the University of Potsdam, shared his thoughts on the collaboration:
“Our long-standing cooperation with IIT Roorkee is an outstanding example of successful knowledge exchange from which all parties benefit. We are confident that our partnership will expand into new areas, serving as a model for German-Indian collaboration on a larger scale.”
During the visit, researchers from various disciplines—physics, materials science, chemistry, and computer science—joined technology transfer experts to discuss avenues for future collaboration. Environmental scientists are particularly optimistic about securing German Research Foundation (DFG) funding for a new joint international graduate school. If approved, this initiative will establish a platform for groundbreaking research and academic cooperation over the next decade.
Founded in 1847, IIT Roorkee is one of India’s premier technical institutions and has been part of the prestigious IIT group since 2001. The ongoing partnership with the University of Potsdam underscores IIT Roorkee’s commitment to fostering global academic and research excellence.
This collaboration continues to exemplify the potential of international partnerships in addressing global challenges and driving innovation across disciplines.