The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur has started a joint PhD programme with the University of Auckland, New Zealand. University of Auckland is New Zealand’s highest ranking University and has been raked 83 by the QS World University Ranking. The historic is a first-of-a-kind agreement between the two countries and aimed towards strengthening of research and economic ties between India and New Zealand. The programme is set to intake its first batch of students in Autumn 2020. Although the programme will initially focus on Engineering, it is open to other subject areas as well.
IIT Kharagpur has released a statement saying that the joint doctoral students will pursue their research under the supervision of academics in both institutions and will accordingly divide their time between the two campuses. The candidates under the joint programme of study will be able to access to opportunities – either related to their research programme or their professional development at both institutions.
A joint doctoral student will be required to submit a single thesis at the end which will be examined by both institutions. If the thesis is accepted by both the institutions, the student will be awarded a testamur bearing the seals of the University of Auckland and IIT Kharagpur. To inaugurate the historic agreement, University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon, Professor Nic Smith, Dean and Faculty of Engineering and Dr Caroline Daley, Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Auckland were present on the occasion.
IIT Kharagpur Director Bhattacharyya said that the collaboration will provide a vast scope for research. He also mentioned the areas that have been identified for research. These include - advanced manufacturing, cyber-physical security, and advanced materials, as well as affordable healthcare and intelligent transportation technologies. Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon said that this initiative is meant to to enhance research outputs at both institutions and deliver enriched learning for the students enrolled.
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