Hyderabad: The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, and the School of Engineering Sciences and Technology (SEST), University of Hyderabad (UoH), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in research, teaching and training, and innovation.

The MoU was signed by Dr. R. Vijay, Director, ARCI, and Dr. Devesh Nigam, Registrar, UoH, in the presence of Prof. J. Gautam, Dean, SEST, Prof. S.L. Sabat, Director, R&D Cell, UoH, and faculty members from SEST including Prof. V.V.S.S. Srikanth, Prof. K.V. Rajulapati, Prof. G. Appa Rao, and Dr. Balaji Padya.

The agreement focuses on:

  • Undertaking joint R&D projects of national importance
  • Providing student internships and dissertation opportunities for M.Tech. and Ph.D. scholars
  • Facilitating faculty–scientist exchanges and resource sharing
  • Promoting joint publications, patents, and technology transfer initiatives

Speaking on the occasion, the signatories emphasized that this partnership will create a strong synergy between academic research and applied technological development, strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem.

Since its inception, SEST has received invaluable support from ARCI in collaborative research and teaching. The school acknowledges the contributions of distinguished leaders Prof. Palle Rama Rao (former VC, UoH and former Chairman, Governing Council, ARCI), Prof. G. Sundararajan (former School Board member, SEST and former Director, ARCI), Prof. Shrikant Joshi (first Dean, SEST and former Associate Director, ARCI), Late Dr. G. Padmanabham (former Director, ARCI), Dr. T.N. Rao (former Director, ARCI) and Dr. R. Vijay (current Director, ARCI) in SEST’s academic and research progress. The collaborative activities were started and strengthen during the tenures of the first two deans of SEST, Prof. Shrikant Joshi and Prof. K. Bhanu Sankara Rao.

SEST acknowledges the support from the ARCI’s senior scientists, namely, Dr. Roy Johnson, Dr. D. S. Rao, Dr. P. K. Jain, Dr. L. Ramakrishna, Dr. G. Ravichandra, Dr. P. H. Borse, Dr. B. V. Sarada, Dr. Joydip Joardar, Dr. Ravi Nathuram Bathe, and Dr. Sudharshan Phani Pardhasaradhi (presently Professor at SEST).

SEST acknowledges the long-standing support from ARCI’s leadership and scientists in shaping SEST’s growth. As many as ~25 ARCI research fellows obtained PhD degrees (as the external registrants) from University of Hyderabad.

SEST expresses gratitude to ARCI scientists who have actively participated in Ph.D. supervision and teaching programs, and reaffirms its commitment to taking the collaboration with ARCI to greater heights