- Three-year MoU creates new academic bridges between two premier institutes
- BTech–MTech dual degree to blend SVNIT’s undergraduate strength with IITGN’s research depth
- Student internships, summer research and faculty exchanges at the core of collaboration
- Start Early PhD pathway to nurture research talent at an earlier stage
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, FEB 3
In a significant move to deepen inter-institutional academic cooperation, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote student mobility, joint research and faculty collaboration.
The MoU, signed on January 31, 2026, lays the foundation for a comprehensive partnership that will offer students and faculty of both institutions access to new academic pathways, shared research ecosystems and long-term collaborative opportunities.
A key highlight of the agreement is the launch of a BTech–MTech dual degree programme. Under this arrangement, BTech students from SVNIT will have the option to transition into a dual degree track, with the BTech degree awarded by SVNIT and the MTech degree conferred by IIT Gandhinagar. The initiative is aimed at enabling students to gain early exposure to advanced research and interdisciplinary learning.
Student exchange and research internships form another cornerstone of the collaboration. SVNIT students will be eligible to participate in IITGN’s Summer Research Internship Programme (SRIP), while IITGN students will be able to pursue research internships at SVNIT, creating a two-way flow of academic talent and ideas.
Faculty collaboration is also a central pillar of the MoU. Faculty members from SVNIT will have opportunities to spend time at IITGN to undertake joint research projects and academic activities, fostering sustained knowledge exchange in areas of mutual interest.
Commenting on the partnership, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, said, “This MoU with SVNIT Surat reflects IIT Gandhinagar’s commitment to building strong academic partnerships that go beyond conventional exchanges. By integrating student mobility, early-stage doctoral pathways, and faculty-led collaborative research, the partnership creates a robust framework for nurturing research-driven education and addressing complex, real-world challenges through interdisciplinary engagement.”
Highlighting the benefits for SVNIT, Prof Anupam Shukla, Director, SVNIT Surat, said, “The collaboration with IIT Gandhinagar provides our students and faculty access to complementary expertise, advanced research environments, and new academic pathways. Through structured internship programmes, student exchange, and joint research initiatives, this partnership is expected to significantly enhance research capacity and academic outcomes at both institutions.”
The MoU also introduces advanced academic engagement opportunities, including a Start Early PhD Programme at IITGN for eligible SVNIT students, enabling promising researchers to embark on doctoral training at an early stage.
By leveraging their complementary strengths, the IITGN–SVNIT collaboration is expected to strengthen the regional and national academic ecosystem, enhance research capacity, and create a pipeline of future-ready engineers and researchers.
