A high-level delegation from the European Union (EU) to India, led by Dr. Vivek V. Dham, Advisor, Research & Innovation, visited Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar today to explore avenues for fostering research, innovation, and academic collaboration between European institutions and IIT Bhubaneswar. The delegation, comprising representatives from multiple EU Member States — including France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic — interacted with IIT Bhubaneswar’s leadership and researchers.

During the interaction held on the occasion, the High Commissioner met with Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, along with Prof. Ashis Biswas, Dean (Alumni, Corporate and International Relations); Prof. Rajesh Roshan Dash, Dean (Student Affairs); Prof. Chandrashekhar N. Bhende, Dean (PG & Research Programs); Prof. Dinakar Pasla, Dean (Sponsored Research & industrial Consultancy); Shri Bamadev Acharya, Registrar; Heads of Schools, faculty members, and representatives from the Research and Entrepreneurship Park (REP). On this occasion, Prof. Karmalkar made a presentation introducing the Institute’s unique strengths in teaching-learning, research, industry-academia collaboration, entrepreneurship development, teacher education, and mental wellness measures. The EU representatives shared insights on ongoing and upcoming EU-India collaboration opportunities, fellowships, and bilateral funding schemes.

The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation under the EU’s flagship Horizon Europe programme — the world’s largest research and innovation funding framework — and to identify potential partnerships in key R&D areas such as climate resilience, clean energy and hydrogen technologies, materials science, smart manufacturing, sustainable urbanization, healthcare innovations, and start-up incubation.

The delegation also visited the Institute’s advanced research laboratories, Central Research Instrumentation Facility (CRIF), Silicon Carbide Research and Innovation Centre and startup incubation centre gaining first-hand insights into IIT Bhubaneswar’s ongoing projects aligned with sustainability and technological innovation.

Prof. Karmalkar expressed optimism about future collaborations and said: “We look forward to building meaningful partnerships with EU institutions that can accelerate knowledge exchange and co-create impactful solutions to some of the most pressing global issues.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dham emphasized the EU’s commitment to deepening scientific and technological ties with India and said: “India is a crucial partner in our global research and innovation landscape. Our visit to IIT Bhubaneswar reaffirms our shared vision of addressing global challenges through joint scientific excellence.”

The visit marked a significant step towards strengthening EU–India academic and research cooperation, aligning with the shared vision of advancing sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven growth.