IIITDM inks pact with Norwegian University on Masters degree

KURNOOL: The Indian Institute of Information Technology (Design and Manufacturing) here on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Agder, Norway, for providing a Master's degree that involves two years of international education and joint research.

The master’s degree will be in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics-Automation course.

The main objective of this agreement is to disseminate knowledge, research, development, education, training, and transfer of technology on a long-term non-commercial basis, IIIT-DM director Prof Somayajulu explained to the media. He said that henceforth these two organisations would work together in the fields of information, communication technology, manufacturing, robotics, and automation.

The students at IIIT-DM Kurnool would get an opportunity to study in University of Agder-Norway as part of the exchange program.

The director said IIIT-DM Kurnool is starting an M.Tech programme from the academic year 2023-2024 in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Automation. As part of the two-year M.Tech course, students spend a year each at Agder University, Norway, and IIIT-DM Kurnool.

Director of Agder University, Jorun Mona Skofteland Gislefass, said that as per the MoU, not only students but also scientists and teachers from the two institutions would be able to exchange notes with each other and in academic publications, exchange reports and hold joint symposiums, conferences, lectures, and meetings.

Registrar of IIIT-DM, K Gurumurthy, said the MoU enables students to get internationally recognized transcripts from Agder University without any additional financial burden.

“The tuition fee will completely be waived while pursuing the course there but the students will have to bear the expenses for accommodation and food. We currently have a five-year agreement with the Agder University-Norway,” he said.

Dean of University of Agder Michael Rygaard Hansen, head of the ICT wing Folke Haugland, head of engineering and science Paul Ragnar Svennevig, international coordinator of the University Paul Grandal, senior adviser Geir Oivind Klokstad, counselor of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi Elisabeth Strand Vigtel, Prof Krishna Mohan from the department of computer science and engineering of IIT-Hyderabad, Prof Linga Reddy from Agder University-Norway, Associate Dean-Academics Dr Akhtar Khan and heads of department of IIITDM-Kurnool were present.

Director of Agder University Jorun Mona Skofteland Gislefass formally inaugurated the new office of the Director of IIIT-DM Kurnool upon exchanging the MoU.