Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) and Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Chandigarh, on Sep 1 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a broad framework for collaboration in research, technology, public policy, academic activities and capacity building.
The MoU was inked by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar and Ms. Vini Mahajan, Chairperson Governing Body, CRRID, in the presence of Shri Aaditya Dachalwal (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Rupnagar and senior officials from both the organizations.
The partnership brings together CRRID’s long standing expertise in social science research, development policy and government-facing assignments with IIT Ropar’s strengths in engineering, artificial intelligence, data science and emerging technologies.
A key focus of the collaboration will be the use of artificial intelligence and data driven approaches for better public policy and governance. The two institutions will explore the design and deployment of AI enabled solutions to support evidence based policy formulation, improve implementation and monitoring of public programmes, and strengthen rigorous impact assessment of government schemes.
The collaboration will span areas including rural and industrial development, agriculture, health, sustainability, urban governance, public finance, MSMEs and other emerging development challenges. It will also explore the responsible application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, geospatial technologies, digital systems and engineering solutions to these sectors.
Under the MoU, CRRID and IIT Ropar will be able to undertake joint and sponsored research projects; jointly develop and test technology enabled policy solutions; prepare proposals for Government, multilateral institutions, foundations and industry; and produce joint research publications, policy papers and reports.
The partnership also provides for conferences, policy roundtables, workshops, executive education and capacity building programmes. Particular emphasis will be placed on building capabilities among Government and public sector personnel in areas such as public policy, artificial intelligence, data governance, technology adoption and programme evaluation.
The two institutions will also facilitate academic engagement through faculty and researcher exchanges, internships and research attachments, and mentoring or co supervision of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral research, subject to the academic rules of the respective institutions.
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director IIT Ropar said:
“This MoU brings together IIT Ropar’s strengths in artificial intelligence, data science and engineering with CRRID’s deep experience in public policy and rural development. Technology works best when it is rooted in ground realities. This partnership will help us build AI-driven solutions that are practical, responsible and genuinely useful for governance and public service delivery. We look forward to working closely with CRRID on this shared mission.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Vini Mahajan, Chairperson Governing Body CRRID said:
“India’s development challenges increasingly require us to bridge the traditional divide between technology and public policy. CRRID brings deep understanding of institutions, communities and public programmes, while IIT Ropar brings cutting-edge capabilities in technology, artificial intelligence and data science. This partnership can help translate these complementary strengths into practical solutions that improve policy design, implementation and outcomes.”
The partnership will place particular emphasis on the responsible use of AI, including appropriate safeguards relating to data protection, cybersecurity, human oversight, explainability and bias assessment.
The MoU will serve as an umbrella framework for collaboration between the two institutions. Individual projects involving funding, defined deliverables, intellectual property or data sharing will be taken forward through separately approved project-specific arrangements.
