The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Indian Air Force have joined hands in their endeavour to build robust technologies both in the academic and research front in the domain of Aerospace Technology. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Air Force and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was signed on September 8 2021 at the Air Force Headquarters, New Delhi to mark the initiation of the partnership, a

The MoU towards the establishment of the air vice marshal Harjinder Singh, VSM Class I MBE, chair of excellence and research scholar programme (RSP) for Indian Air Force Officers was signed in the presence of air marshal Vibhas Pande AVSM VSM, air officer-in-charge maintenance (AOM) and prof. Abhay Karandikar, director, IIT Kanpur by air vice marshal Rajeev Sharma, assistant chief of air staff (education) and head of education branch of IAF and prof. Jayant Kumar Singh, dean resources and alumni, IIT Kanpur.

The rationale behind the partnership is to establish a long-term relationship for academic and research-based interactions and interchange of technical knowledge to foster knowledge development and promote breakthrough innovations in the domain of Aerospace Technology. This significant partnership between the IITK and IAF will create new forefronts and strengthen the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Mission and pave the way towards a self-reliant India.

Prof Abhay Karandikar, director IIT Kanpur, said “We are proud to be associated with the Indian Air Force for collaboration in research and training. We are hopeful that the Chair of Excellence will set new benchmarks in this space with path-breaking research initiatives.”

The chair of excellence will promote teaching, research and technology development in aerospace technologies, aircraft structural integrity, aircraft health monitoring, and other allied subjects in the fields of Aeronautics and Aviation. It will facilitate the development of training programmes for IAF personnel which will provide platforms for the dissemination of knowledge and novel ideas to innovate new technologies. This engagement will leverage the access of immense experience and knowledge of distinguished IAF officers among IIT-K faculty, researchers, and students. It will also provide research grants to Ph.D scholars of Aerospace Engineering of IIT-K working in these areas.

The research scholar program (RSP) will establish a framework for mutual co-operation between two participating organizations of national importance wherein the qualified serving officers from the IAF will be eligible for direct admission to Ph.D, M.Tech and Masters Programmes at IIT Kanpur. The officers will get the opportunity to undertake time-bound research in the various departments of IIT Kanpur. It will aid in the exchange of ideas and thoughts and independent research towards national objective.

The partnership will create a pool of think tanks with strategic knowledge and intellectual skills among IAF officers. The expertise and skill development of these officers would contribute in numerous ways to the nation. It will help to demonstrate new technology intervention and create awareness among the IAF officers to address their problems through interaction with IITK faculty members.

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