The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, recently hosted a delegation from Clemson University, USA, during the 4th Roorkee Water Conclave (RWC) 2026. The delegation included Dr. Kalyan Piratla, Distinguished Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences; Dr. Melissa C. Smith, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; and Dr. Kapil Chalil Madathil, Wilfred P. Tiencken Endowed Professor of Industrial and Civil Engineering.
Dr. Kalyan Piratla served as a Keynote Speaker at the 4th Roorkee Water Conclave 2026, where he shared valuable insights on emerging research and innovations in water infrastructure and environmental engineering.
During their visit, the delegation also visited the International Relations (IR) Office and met with Prof. Vivek Malik, Dean (Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy) and Officiating Dean of International Relations, IIT Roorkee, and Dr. Shantanu Wahal, Consultant, International Cooperation, to discuss potential avenues for academic and research collaboration between the two institutions. During the discussions, both sides explored opportunities for collaboration in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Digital Technologies, Photonics, Digital Protection and Automation, Energy Innovation, and Embedded AI.
The delegation also visited the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Roorkee, where they met with Prof. Bhavesh Bhalja, Ph.D., Head, Department of Electrical Engineering, along with other faculty members, to explore interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. The possibility of establishing a Joint PhD Program in Electrical Engineering was also discussed.
It was also noted that IIT Roorkee and Clemson University have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to facilitate student mobility, faculty exchange, joint research initiatives, and broader academic collaboration between the two institutions.