The Director of IIT Roorkee led the flag hoisting after inspecting the Guard of Honour and warmly welcomed the distinguished guests. This year Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), is in its 176th year of foundation, and like every year, the institute celebrated the Independence Day Function on August 15, 2023, with its customary enthusiasm.

The event at IIT Roorkee embraced the rich tapestry of India’s diverse cultures, featuring cultural presentations by ABN Senior Secondary School students, Anushruti Academy for the Deaf, and the Cultural Society of IIT Roorkee.

Director of IIT Roorkee

Addressing the gathering on Independence Day, Prof. K K Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, eloquently expressed, “Independence Day transforms our nation into a canvas painted with the hues of pride and patriotism.

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I am deeply appreciative of everyone present here, as I can confidently assert that IIT Roorkee’s contribution to educating our youth goes beyond just a date on the calendar, it is a symphony that pays homage to the celebration of unity, said Director of IIT Roorkee.

IIT Roorkee stands as a bastion of academic excellence, innovation, and national progress, encapsulating its enduring legacy that IIT Roorkee continues to be a cornerstone of academic excellence, innovation, and national progress.

Introspection

On the eve of 14th August 2023, IIT Roorkee also solemnly observed “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.” The day was marked not only by introspection but also by active engagement.

A comprehensive cleanliness drive encompassing hostels, messes, and offices, underscored the institution’s dedication to honoring history through meaningful action.

Spirit of unity

Further fostering a spirit of unity and patriotism, the “Har Ghar Tiranga” initiative encouraged faculty, students, and staff to hoist the National Flag in their respective abodes from the 13th to the 15th of August 2023.

This collective effort not only mirrored a nationwide celebration but also amplified the sense of shared identity and purpose.

Additionally, the institute’s engagement in an enlightening Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), as part of the Aazadi Ka Amritkal celebrations, underscores its forward-thinking approach.

This endeavor demonstrates the institution’s commitment to equipping its community with essential knowledge and tools for innovation, aligning seamlessly with the nation’s progress.

In essence, these endeavors collectively exemplify the organization’s ethos of nurturing knowledge, unity, and holistic development while standing as a resolute pillar of national pride and progress.

Since its establishment, the Institute has played a vital role in providing the technical manpower and know-how to the country and in pursuit of research.

The Institute ranks amongst the best technological institutions in the world and has contributed to all sectors of technological development.

It has also been considered a trend-setter in the area of education and research in the field of science, technology, and engineering.

The Institute had celebrated its Sesquicentennial in October 1996 and now completed more than 175 years of its existence.

It was converted to IIT on September 21, 2001 by an Ordinance issued by the Government of India declared it as the nation’s seventh Indian Institute of Technology, an “Institution of National Importance”.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during InvenTiv 2025, the Global Innovation Showcase hosted at IIT Madras.

Key areas for collaboration

The collaboration will drive research and development in several technology areas, including:

Ø Energy-efficient Industrial Heating and Cooling Solutions

Ø Advanced Power Electronics and Drives

Ø High-pressure Pump Systems

Ø Waste Heat Utilisation and Campus Decarbonisation Solutions

Ø Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Systems

Ø Multiphase Flow Studies

Ø AI-driven Process Optimisation and Advanced Thermal Simulations

CoE at IIT Guwahati

A Center of Excellence (CoE) – Danfoss Solutions will be established at IIT Guwahati to coordinate and streamline all collaborative projects under a unified research umbrella, fostering innovation and efficient project management.

Opportunities

Additionally, the collaboration will also open new opportunities for internships, collaborative research projects, and training programs for students across B.Tech, M.Tech, MS, and PhD programs at IIT Guwahati.

Students will have the opportunity to work at Danfoss’s global facilities, gaining hands-on industrial exposure, with high-performing students eligible for Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs), say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Joint education program

Further, a joint educational program will be established between IIT Guwahati and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), in collaboration with Danfoss.

This program will provide students with international exposure, industry-relevant curricula, and opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, fostering cross-cultural learning and global research collaboration.

Director

Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said this partnership with Danfoss is a step towards IIT Guwahati’s vision of fostering innovation through collaborative research and industry engagement.

By combining cutting-edge research at IIT Guwahati with Danfoss’s technological expertise, we aim to develop solutions addressing critical sustainability challenges while preparing future-ready talent, he said.

This partnership aligns with Danfoss’s commitment to driving sustainable innovation and nurturing a talent pool equipped to address global challenges in energy efficiency, water management, and climate technologies, he said.

Industry-Academia collaboration

The MoU signing at InvenTiv 2025 was held in the presence of Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Government of India.

Dr. Majumdar emphasized the importance of fostering industry-academia collaborations to drive innovation, particularly in the context of sustainable development and regional growth in the North Eastern Region.

He commended the efforts of IIT Guwahati and Danfoss for spearheading research and educational partnerships that will contribute to both national technological advancement and regional development.

Duration

The MoU will remain in effect for five years, with the possibility of renewal and expansion to include emerging research areas such as digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and smart infrastructure solutions.

About Danfoss

Danfoss Industries Private Limited, part of the globally renowned Danfoss Group, is a leader in climate and energy solutions.

It is recognised for its expertise in energy efficiency, advanced industrial systems, and sustainable technologies.

With a strong commitment to decarbonisation, digitalisation, and sustainability, Danfoss is at the forefront of developing technologies for a greener future.

At present, the Institute has eleven departments, nine interdisciplinary academic centers and five schools.

They are covering all the major engineering, science, healthcare, management, and humanities disciplines, offering BTech, BDes, BSc(Hons), MA, MDes, MTech, MSc, MS(R), MBA and PhD programs.

The institute offers a residential campus to 455 faculty members and more than 8,600 students at present.

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