IIT Kharagpur Introduces a Joint PhD Program with University of Auckland

For the first time for any Indian institute, IIT Kharagpur has introduced a joint Ph.D. program with University of Auckland, New Zealand. This joint venture has been introduced in order to strengthen the research and economic ties of India with New Zealand. In the appraisal of the joint program, the KIWI university considers it as a historic program that has been implemented for the first time between any two countries.

The director and professor or IIT Kharagpur, Sriman Bhattacharya, along with the International Relations Dean, Baidurya Bhattacharya; visited Auckland to sign the joint program agreement. Along with them, the vice-chancellor professor of Auckland University, McCutcheon, Dean of graduate students Dr. Caroline Daley, and the dean & faculty of engineering, Professor Nic Smith were also present during the agreement.

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As per the information by IIT Kharagpur officials, although the joint program is mainly focused on engineering, all other subject areas will also be covered through the program. The first batch for the Ph.D. program will start in the autumn of 2020. The students enrolled in the program will carry out their research under the supervision of both the universities, distributing their time between both campuses.

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IIT Kharagpur director and Auckland University Vice-Chancellor are excited about the joint program and are considering the step as the initiation of positive relations between the two countries, through academics. Stuart McCutcheon, the Vice-Chancellor Professor at the University of Auckland said that India stands as strong economic importance for New Zealand and through the joint Ph.D. program, we are looking forward to introducing enhanced research study for students in both the countries.