Iucca, Pune varsity MoU to open doors on unique research opportunities

Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (Iucca) on Friday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry out collaborative research, development and teaching programmes in Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Instrumentation, Technology and other areas.

The collaborative programmes will be carried out between Iucca and the SPPU departments of Physics, Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Technology, Electronics, Instrumentation Science in areas of mutual interest. This collaboration will involve interaction between the faculty, scientific staff, students and post-doctoral fellows of Iucca and SPPU. The research and interactive spaces will be created in both SPPU and Iucca premises.

Students who have registered for science and technology courses at SPPU will be involved with the research associated with these projects. The students will also be trained to carry out the research.

“SPPU students need courses fitting with current day challenges. So, MoUs like this will benefit students to take-up challenges. With the changing scenario we need to work on such collaborations.” said Prof Nitin Karmalkar, SPPU vice-chancellor.

One of the major objectives of this MoU is to identify and establish jointly-taught courses at post-graduate and research level leading to MSc, MTech, PhD and other degrees.

Somak Raychaudhary, director Iucca said, “SPPU and Iucca have been working in collaboration for academic purposes for the past three decades. Now, through this MoU we will be working on joint research projects.”