The University of Hyderabad (UoH) through the School of Engineering Sciences and Technology (SEST) has forged a significant partnership with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) Limited, Hyderabad – India’s largest iron ore producer and a Navratna PSU through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on 26th March 2024 for the period of five years.
Dr. Devesh Nigam, Registrar signed the MoU on behalf of the UoH and Shri SK Jain, Chief General Manager, R&D Centre on behalf of the NMDC Limited, in the presence of Prof. BJ Rao, Vice-Chancellor, UoH; Shri Dilip Kumar Mohanty, Director (Production); Prof. Jaiprakash Gautam, Dean SEST and other faculty members – Prof. VVSS Srikanth, Prof. KV Rajulapati and Dr. VG Kotnur from SEST, and Dr. Vibhuti Roshan from R&D Centre NMDC Limited.
The activities under the MoU would focus on collaborative research, student and faculty exchange in the following areas:
1) Development of technology for green steel making.
2) Technology development for the direct utilization of low-grade iron ore fines in the ironmaking process.
3) Technology development for the mine waste utilization.
4) Exploration of any other technical areas of mutual interests.
During this occasion Prof. BJ Rao, Vice-Chancellor, UoH and Shri Dilip Kumar Mohanty Director (Productions) at NMDC Ltd. deliberated that this is the first step to work together effectively and make it a successful model for Industry-Academia collaboration.
This MoU is expected to foster innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange and contribute to the advancement of sustainable practices in the Mining, Iron and Steel making industries.
Dr. VG Kotnur will serve as coordinator from the UoH side and Dr. Vibhuti Roshan will serve as coordinator from the R&D Centre of NMDC Limited