Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), which formalised the well-established history between the two universities which has included joint research activities, funding applications and collaborative post-graduate programmes.

It is a first between IIT Madras and any university in New Zealand

Professor Guy Littlefair, Pro Vice-Chancellor International and Dean of Design and Creative Technologies at AUT said the two institutions are at the fore of innovation and applied research. “The opportunities presented in this partnership will allow both students and staff tremendous prospects to enhance bi-national relations for the benefit of both countries and universities,” said Professor Littlefair.

This was endorsed by Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean Global Engagement at IIT Madras who said the agreement will allow “mobility of students, joint research and joint supervision of students and collaborative masters and doctoral programmes.”

The MOU means AUT students will get the opportunity to complete their final year project or internship at the prestigious IIT Madras which is an exciting prospect for all students and especially for those of Indian origin.

The MOU was signed virtually and will take effect in 2021.

According to an official press release of Education New Zealand (ENZ- New Zealand’s government agency for international education), COVID-19 has meant some planned student exchange initiatives will be delayed; but work is already underway with academics and potential online student internships. “Recently, AUT supported IIT Madras as a foreign collaborator for joint research funding application with their Department of Science and Technology and the Government of India. New Zealand students will get a chance to do their internships/final year project at IIT madras considering the feel and excitement associated with studying at IIT especially for Indian origin students,” ENZ said.

AUT is rated 5-stars for Internationalization, research, teaching, graduate employability, innovation, inclusiveness and facilities in the QS World University Rankings. AUT is consistently ranked first in New Zealand for international outlook and works with 5,000 global industry partners and has collaborated on research with 140 different countries.