Roorkee, April 21 -- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC) to strengthen collaboration in academic, scientific and research activities in the fields of space science and geospatial applications relevant to Uttarakhand. The MoU was signed by Prof Kamal Kishore Pant, director of IIT Roorkee, and Prof Durgesh Pant, director of USAC, at the IIT Roorkee campus. The event was attended by Prof Sanjay H Upadhyay, head of the Centre for Space Science and Technology at IIT Roorkee, and Dr Priyadarshi Upadhyay, scientist, along with other faculty members and scientists from both institutions. According to officials, the collaboration will focus on three broad areas: academic and research collaboration, joint supervision of MTech and PhD students, and the co-organisation of conferences, seminars and workshops. Under the academic and research partnership, both institutions will undertake joint research and pilot projects in areas such as space applications, geospatial technologies, climate change, disaster management and natural resource management. Students from IIT Roorkee will also get opportunities for internships, project work and thesis research at USAC, subject to institutional norms and security protocols. Officials said the collaboration will also promote the exchange of scientific knowledge, faculty and technical expertise while supporting outreach initiatives, training programmes, hackathons and workshops aimed at promoting space science and technology in the region. The agreement also provides for joint supervision of postgraduate and doctoral research. Selected MTech and PhD students will be jointly mentored by faculty members and scientists from both institutions and will have access to facilities at IIT Roorkee and USAC in accordance with academic guidelines. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Kamal Kishore Pant, director of IIT Roorkee, said the collaboration reinforces the institute's commitment to advancing research and building partnerships that address regional and national challenges. "The integration of space science and geospatial technologies will play a crucial role in sustainable development and disaster resilience," he said....