Kanpur, 2nd May 2024 - In a significant development aimed at forging strategic partnerships, Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), accompanied by ADG Major General C.S. Mann and other high-ranking army officers, visited the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur). The distinguished guests were welcomed by Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, and Prof. Kantesh Balani, Faculty in-charge, Army Cell, IIT Kanpur.

The visit facilitated in-depth discussions between the army officials and IIT Kanpur's faculty members specialising in defence-related areas, focusing on exploring potential collaborations to develop niche technology solutions for the Indian Army. The institute's professors showcased IIT Kanpur’s research capabilities by providing an overview of the ongoing defence projects at the institute.

Shri Sanjay Tandon, Director of the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Kanpur, elaborated on the CoE's mandate to establish an ecosystem for focused research and collaboration in advanced technology areas for defence and security. This highlighted the institute's commitment to encouraging industry-academia partnerships in strategic domains.

The faculty members showcased various innovative technologies to the Army officers, including a Substation Inspection Robot, a generator for precision guidance kits, high-altitude logistics and eVTOL solutions, Quadruped and Rotary Robots, and Kamikaze drones. Three defense-technology startups incubated at IIT Kanpur also presented outstanding innovations, stressing the institute's role as a hub for entrepreneurship and technology transfer. The Indian Army team also visited the C3i Hub and FlexE Center at IIT Kanpur.

This visit reinforced IIT Kanpur's position as a premier institution actively contributing to the nation's defence and security efforts through advanced research and development.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared to be an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. IIT Kanpur is best known for the highest standard of education in science and engineering and for seminal R&D contributions over the years. The institute has a sprawling lush green campus spread over 1055 acres with a large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 25 centres and 3 interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 570 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.