Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and National Institute of Technology Trichy (NITT) have signed an MoU for collaboration on academic activities.

The MoU will facilitate direct admission of B.Tech students at NITT to IIT Delhi’s PhD programmes, foster academic and research collaboration in the areas of mutual interest and lead to exchange of faculty and students.

The MoU was signed by Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi and Dr. Mini Shaji Thomas, Director, NIT Trichy.

Dr. Mini Shaji Thomas, Director, NIT Trichy said, “The key feature of this MoU is the excellent opportunity for bright undergrad students for direct PhD admission at IIT Delhi. We are very positive that this MoU will encourage academic partnership and fruitful research collaborations between NITT and IIT Delhi. The Institute is looking forward to joint research projects and faculty exchange programmes.”

Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi welcomed the MoU with NIT Trichy and termed it a good opportunity for the faculty and students of both the institutes to collaborate in the area of R&D.

Prof Rao added, "We would like to invite other NITs also to enter into similar academic partnership with IIT Delhi."

Direct PhD Admission

Under this MoU, meritorious B.Tech students of NITT will be provided an opportunity to carry out part of their studies including project work at IIT Delhi and then they will be offered direct admission to PhD without the need to qualify GATE or any other national level examination.

Under this scheme, NITT students with a CGPA of 8.00 at the end of their 6th semester (three years) will be eligible to apply for a project in summer and complete their fourth year (7th and 8th semesters) at IIT Delhi.

The students need to submit their transcript, and other academic records and achievements and documentary evidence of any research or internship experience along with their application.

The students are expected to demonstrate sufficient merit in coursework and research during their 7th and 8th semesters (04th year) of the B.Tech to continue to join the PhD programme.

After the successful completion of their fourth year, they can be considered for an early admission to PhD programmes at IIT Delhi. The requirement of GATE is waived off since they will enter IIT Delhi with a minimum CGPA of 8.00.

It is envisaged that this scheme will also help NITT B.Tech students to enhance their chances of qualifying for the PMRF fellowship for PhD at IIT Delhi.

During their stay as visiting students, IIT Delhi will not be charging any academic fees, since they will be paying their regular academic fees at NIT Trichy. They, being B.Tech degree students, will also be provided either on-campus or off-campus paid hostel accommodation by IIT Delhi for one-year.

Students and Faculty Exchange

IIT Delhi and NIT Trichy will exchange B.Tech, dual degree M.Tech students, research scholars and faculty. The students under the exchange programme will be classified as special exchange students and they will be permitted to take courses on credit/audit, as well as participate in research activities/internships/project work. The selection and nomination of students will be open throughout the academic year.

The faculty of NITT can also apply for suitable postdoc positions/any other opportunities available at IIT Delhi.

Research Collaboration

The faculty from both the institutes will also collaborate in the joint submission of research project proposals, supervision of exchange students and joint research in the disciplines of mutual interest.