Rupnagar, Sep 1 (PTI) IIT Ropar and the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh, on Tuesday signed an MoU to establish a broad framework for collaboration in research, technology, public policy, academic activities and capacity building.
The MoU was inked by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar Director Rajeev Ahuja and Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) governing body Chairperson Vini Mahajan, in the presence of Rupnagar Deputy Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, according to a statement.
The partnership brings together CRRID’s long-standing expertise in social science research, development policy and government-facing assignments with IIT Ropar’s strengths in engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), data science and emerging technologies, it said.
A key focus of the collaboration will be the use of AI and data-driven approaches for better public policy and governance.
The two institutions will explore the design and deployment of AI-enabled solutions to support evidence-based policy formulation, improve implementation and monitoring of public programmes, and strengthen rigorous impact assessment of government schemes, it said.
The collaboration will span areas including rural and industrial development, agriculture, health, sustainability, urban governance, public finance, MSMEs and other emerging development challenges.
It will also explore the responsible application of AI, machine learning, geospatial technologies, digital systems and engineering solutions to these sectors.
Under the MoU, CRRID and IIT Ropar will be able to undertake joint and sponsored research projects; jointly develop and test technology-enabled policy solutions; prepare proposals for the government, multilateral institutions, foundations and industry; and produce joint research publications, policy papers and reports.
The partnership also provides for conferences, policy roundtables, workshops, executive education and capacity-building programmes.
Particular emphasis will be placed on building capabilities among government and public sector personnel in areas such as public policy, AI, data governance, technology adoption and programme evaluation, the statement said.
The two institutions will also facilitate academic engagement through faculty and researcher exchanges, internships and research attachments, and mentoring or co-supervision of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral research, subject to the academic rules of the respective institutions.
“This MoU brings together IIT Ropar’s strengths in AI, data science and engineering with CRRID’s deep experience in public policy and rural development. Technology works best when it is rooted in ground realities. This partnership will help us build AI-driven solutions that are practical, responsible and genuinely useful for governance and public service delivery,” Ahuja said.
Mahajan pointed to the necessity of bridging the traditional divide between technology and public policy. “CRRID brings deep understanding of institutions, communities and public programmes, while IIT Ropar brings cutting-edge capabilities in technology, artificial intelligence and data science,” she said.
The CRRID Chandigarh is an autonomous social science and policy research institution engaged in research, policy analysis, programme evaluation, training and government-facing assignments in areas including rural and industrial development, agriculture, population and health and public finance. PTI CHS PRK
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