Dhanbad: In a significant step toward strengthening national security through academic-industrial collaboration, the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, and the Indian Army have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive innovation, research, and capacity building across emerging technology domains.
The MoU was formalized during a virtual ceremony held at the Conference Hall of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The event was attended by key representatives from both institutions. From IIT (ISM), Director Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Associate Dean (R&D) Prof. S.R. Samadder, Prof. Chiranjeev Kumar, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and Prof. Dharavath Ramesh participated. The Indian Army delegation included Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni (AVSM, VSM, PhD), Brig Maneesh Joshi, Brig N.P. Singh, Col S.P. Singh, Lt Col Jaggeshwar Gauniyal, and Lt Col Deepak Bhagwani.
This strategic alliance aims to foster joint research and development in cutting-edge areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Image and Video Processing, Database Management, and Information & Network Security.
Key Pillars of the Collaboration:
-
Joint R&D Initiatives: Collaborative development and testing of software tools and data-driven solutions to address defence-related challenges.
-
Specialized Training Programs: IIT (ISM) will offer tailored certification and executive training courses for Army personnel in data science, AI, and ML through in-person, online, or hybrid modes.
-
Internships and Research Opportunities: Students, particularly from Computer Science and allied disciplines, will get hands-on exposure to real-time defence projects.
-
Shared Infrastructure: Both institutions will extend access to labs, libraries, and other technical resources to support the smooth execution of joint projects.
Focus Areas of Research:
-
Human-AI Collaboration – Creating intelligent models for automated code optimization.
-
Adaptive Interfaces – Developing user-centric applications that evolve with usage patterns.
-
Advanced Natural Language Processing – Enhancing capabilities of chatbots and virtual agents.
-
Big Data & Cloud Analytics – Leveraging large-scale data for strategic decision-making.
As part of the agreement, IIT (ISM) will provide technical expertise and recommend highly skilled students for internships based on proficiency in programming stacks like .NET Core, Java, Python, C/C++, Angular, and PHP. The Indian Army will nominate personnel for training and collaborate on validating and scaling research outcomes.
A Long-Term Vision
The partnership is expected to yield mutual benefits by aligning academic research with real-world military requirements, enabling both institutions to exchange knowledge, innovation, and best practices. Regular meetings and continued engagement will ensure timely execution of projects and sustained technological advancement.
This MoU marks a forward-looking collaboration that merges academic excellence with strategic defence preparedness, underlining a shared commitment to national innovation and security.
Good initiative for impowerment of our nation.