NIT Rourkela and Survey of India Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Geospatial Science
In a significant move to bolster India's capabilities in geospatial governance and advanced mapping, the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, and the Survey of India's Odisha & Chhattisgarh geo-spatial directorate have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, signed on Wednesday, aims to deepen collaboration across geospatial science, cutting-edge mapping technologies, and interdisciplinary research initiatives.
Key Signatories and Facilitators of the MoU
The MoU was officially signed by Prof K Umamaheshwar Rao, Director of NIT Rourkela, and Swarnima Bajpai, Director of the geo-spatial directorate at the Survey of India. The initiative was skillfully facilitated by Prof Kishanjit Kumar Khatua from the civil engineering department at NIT Rourkela, alongside Bharat Kumbhar and Ashish Kaushal from the Survey of India, highlighting a concerted effort to bridge academic and governmental expertise.
Strategic Objectives and National Impact
Prof Rao emphasized that this collaboration is perfectly aligned with India's expanding focus on geospatial governance, climate resilience, and precision mapping. He stated, "By combining the national mapping authority's expertise with academic research excellence, the partnership will strengthen climate and environmental monitoring, sustainable planning, and disaster risk management." This synergy is expected to drive innovations in areas critical to national security and environmental sustainability.
Swarnima Bajpai echoed these sentiments, noting that the MoU represents a major step in bridging theoretical learning with practical, ground-level applications. She remarked, "This collaboration integrates the Survey of India's legacy with academic excellence. Working with institutions like NIT Rourkela will strengthen geospatial education and contribute meaningfully to national development." The partnership aims to enhance the skill sets of professionals and foster a robust ecosystem for geospatial advancements.
Details of the Five-Year Agreement
Under the five-year agreement, NIT Rourkela will provide expert consultation on complex geodetic surveys and support the professional advancement of Survey of India personnel through:
- Specialized training programs
- Research access and academic collaborations
- Leveraging national geospatial infrastructure, such as continuously operating reference stations (CORS), for scientific and applied studies
Additionally, the agreement outlines clear terms for Intellectual Property (IP): IP generated independently by each institution will remain with that entity, while jointly developed outcomes will be co-owned, ensuring fair and productive collaboration.
Broader Implications for Education and National Development
This partnership is set to transform geospatial education by integrating real-world applications into academic curricula, thereby preparing students and professionals for emerging challenges in fields like climate change, urban planning, and disaster management. By fostering interdisciplinary research, the collaboration will contribute to India's goals in sustainable development and technological self-reliance, positioning the nation as a leader in geospatial innovation on the global stage.
