A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT - D) was signed this October, virtually.

The MoU covers a range of opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions including research exchange, student and postdoctoral fellow exchange, short-term educational programmes on topics of mutual interest, organising of joint seminars, conferences and workshops.

The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, is one of the world’s top-ranking multidisciplinary research institutions offering masters’ and doctoral-level degrees across five faculties. It is recognised for its wide-ranging exploration of the natural and exact sciences. The institute’s scientists are advancing research on the human brain, artificial intelligence, computer science and encryption, astrophysics and particle physics, and they are tackling diseases such as cancer, and addressing climate change through environmental, ocean and plant sciences, and more.

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is a public technical and research university.  An Institution of Eminence (IoE), it is one of the 23 IIT’s created to be Centres of Excellence for training, research and development in science, engineering and technology in India.

Prof. Ziv Reich, Vice-President, Weizmann Institute of Science, states:  “We are very happy to collaborate with a pioneer institute like IIT-Delhi. Through this MoU we hope to leverage the expertise of both the institutes to conduct interdisciplinary basic research and subsequently address global challenges. We highly appreciate the quality of research in India and hope that our work together furthers our collective scientific understanding.”

The MoU provides a strong platform for various collaborations that involve academic, research and human resource development. The aim of the collaboration is to help in the identification of problems and work jointly by exchanging research and academic expertise.

Prof. Naveen Garg, Dean Alumni Affairs and International Programs, IIT-Delhi said, “We are happy to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Weizmann Institute of Science, an institute recognised world-wide for its basic research.We look forward to some interesting collaborative research and finding solutions to world’s most pressing challenges.”