Venkat Raman
Auckland, February 11, 2020
All the eight Universities of New Zealand have jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to establish a New Zealand Centre in the Campus.
The initiative is the first of its kind for our Universities.
The institutions are The University of Auckland, AUT University, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Waikato, Lincoln University, University of Canterbury and University of Otago, which feature in the top 3% worldwide by the QS World Rankings.
Workshop boosts ties
The eight Universities were represented at a two-day workshop which concluded on February 11, 2020, which, Jennifer Dixon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement), University of Auckland, strengthened ties between New Zealand and India.
“The two-day workshop, held at IIT Delhi, provided an opportunity for academics from New Zealand universities and IIT Delhi to discuss and develop projects for long term research collaboration. Collaboration priorities under discussion include sustainable cities, technologies for clean water, cyber security and data science, energy and environmental studies, and advanced biological and healthcare systems and engineering,” she said.
Describing the MoU as a significant step in New Zealand’s long-term education relationship with India, she said that IIT Delhi is the ideal partner to progress research collaborations.
“We are dedicated to creating future global citizens and we look forward to the development of leading-edge research through the association,” he said.
Forum for researchers
The New Zealand Centre will host visiting researchers and academics, act as a forum for diplomatic and trade dialogue among different sectors, and support student mobility.
Education New Zealand Regional Director (Asia) John Laxon said that the Centre would be a one-of-a-kind research establishment.
“A research-focused New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi builds on New Zealand’s status as the preferred education destination for students, with a 71% increase in Indian students choosing to study in New Zealand universities in 2019. We are committed to strengthening the research and education ties between New Zealand and India, and are excited to be partnering with a prestigious institution in IIT Delhi,” he said.
Professor Sanjeev Sanghi, Dean Alumni Affairs and International Programmes, said that IIT Delhi was committed to quality education for students and pleased to be associated with New Zealand.
“The New Zealand Centre embodies our efforts to embrace internationalization, open up opportunities for new research collaborations and increase global exposure for our students. We look forward to collaborating more with universities from New Zealand,” he said.
