IIT Roorkee and ISS, Erasmus University partner to do joint research, innovation

Five-year MoU to promote joint research, student exchanges, and grassroots innovation for sustainable development.

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands, have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of development studies, frugal innovation, and technology-driven solutions for inclusive growth.

Prof. Ruard Ganzevoort, Rector, ISS said, “At ISS, we believe that academic knowledge must connect with real-world challenges. This partnership with IIT Roorkee will bring together social science perspectives and technological expertise to deliver innovative solutions for global and local communities.”

Prof. Peter Knorringa, representing ISS at the signing, added, “Frugal innovation is about doing more with less for many. By working together, we can advance research and practice that creates tangible social impact and builds capacity at the grassroots.”

Prof. Cees Van Beers highlighted the global dimension of the collaboration, “This partnership strengthens the network of European and Indian institutions committed to sustainable innovation. Together, we will design joint research, student and faculty exchanges, and thematic workshops to address pressing societal challenges.”

The collaboration is designed to go beyond academia, engaging with government agencies, civil society, and community-based organizations to develop evidence-based, practical interventions.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “This MoU reflects our commitment to bridging technology and society. By collaborating with ISS, we aim to co-create pathways that will empower communities through sustainable and frugal innovation, ultimately contributing to India’s and the world’s journey towards inclusive development.”

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