BIS Signs MoU With IITs, NIT Rourkela To Set Up Dedicated Chair

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad and National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela for the establishment of ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor’ at these institutes.

In a statement, BIS said the initiative is aimed at institutionalizing its engagement with the eminent institutes of the country for securing active participation of academia in standards formulation and making the teaching of Indian standards an integral part of the curriculum.

“This will promote excellence and leadership in teaching, research and development in the field of science and various engineering, disciplines,” it said.

Speaking on the occasion, BIS director general Pramod Kumar Tiwari said that the MoU would facilitate the research and development, teaching and training in the field of standardization and conformity assessment in the country with a focus on the areas of civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, earthquake engineering.

Development and management of water resources, renewable energy projects, infrastructure development, medical biotechnology and nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomaterials are also among the key areas where the research and development will be taking place as part of the understanding.

“The association would also enhance the involvement of youngsters in standardization, so as to make them future-ready professionals and instil a sense of quality consciousness. It is also anticipated that technology innovation and standards development shall be interwoven seamlessly to foster the development of technology-oriented products and services,” Tiwari said.

Prof Kantesh Balani, Dean of Resources & Alumni, IIT Kanpur; Prof Rajiv Shekhar, Director, IIT(ISM), Dhanbad; and Prof K Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela assured commitment towards this initiative and agreed to extend all the necessary support.

The bureau completed 75 years of its establishment in January this year. Primarily responsible for standardization and certification, it has been contributing to the national economy. It was formerly known as the ‘Indian Standards Institution (ISI).