Srinagar: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Centre of Development for Advanced Computing (CDAC), Kolkata for R&D and capacity building in artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, automation and robotics.

CDAC Kolkata is a premier R&D organization of the country, established to develop supercomputers under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), that carries R&D in electronics and associated areas.

The MOU signing coincided with the National Science Day celebrations and follows close on the heels of a first-of-its-kind International Education Fair organised by SKUAST-K making it the first university in J&K to undertake globalisation of education.

The MoU was signed between SKUAST-K’s Director Research, Prof Sarfaraz A Wani, and Director CDAC Kolkata, Aditya Kumar Sinha, in presence of Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai. Prof TH Masoodi, Registrar; Prof Arshad Mughal, Associate Director Research; Prof Azmat Alam Khan, OSD to Vice Chancellor; Prof MS Pukhta, Head, Division of Agri. Statistics; Asok Bandyopadhyay, Associate Director & Group Head ICT& Services Group, CDAC Kolkata; Dr Imran Khan, Associate Professor Div of Statistics; and Sangham Chaturvedi, Principal Technical Officer, CDAC Kolkata was also present. Dr Imran Khan and Asok Bandyopadhyay shall be the coordinators from SKUAST-K and CDAC Kolkata respectively.

SKUAST-K and CDAC Kolkata will offer all new-age courses and undertake research in Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, Deep learning, Big Data analytics, IoT, Automation, Sensor Technology, Robotics, Drone-Technology, and other Information and Communication Sciences. Joint Courses on the application of these cutting-edge Sciences to agriculture shall be developed to train next-generation human capital to drive the next generation of agriculture revolution.

Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai at the occasion said that such advanced courses and research eco-system would attract students and scholars from across the nation and abroad as well. Director CDAC Kolkata Aditya Kumar Sinha while welcoming the collaboration between the two institutions assured full support from CDAC-K to SKUAST-Kashmir in its globalisation initiatives. The MOU would pave way for further cooperation between the two Institutions in furthering the growth of science, cutting-edge research and the establishment of Centres of Excellence in frontier areas at SKUAST-Kashmir.

KR Desk