ROURKELA: In a bid to promote collaboration in geospatial science and mapping technologies, the National Institute of Technology-Rourkela (NIT-R) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Odisha & Chhattisgarh Geo-spatial Directorate of the Survey of India on Wednesday.
The partnership envisages combining Survey of India’s expertise in national mapping and geodesy with NIT-R’s strengths in geo-dynamics, remote sensing, earth sciences and climate studies. The agreement will enable joint research projects, academic events and technical exchanges in alignment with the National Geospatial Policy-2022.
The MoU was signed by NIT-R director Prof K Umamaheshwar Rao and director of Odisha & Chhattisgarh Geo-spatial Directorate Swarnima Bajpai.
Prof Rao said the collaboration is of national significance as it aligns with India’s growing emphasis on geospatial governance, digital mapping, climate resilience and infrastructure development. By combining the national mapping authority’s expertise with academic research excellence, the partnership will contribute to precision geospatial infrastructure, climate and environmental monitoring, sustainable planning and disaster risk management.
“We value our association with the Survey of India, the country’s oldest scientific department established in 1767, whose longstanding expertise in mapping and geodesy has played a foundational role in nation-building,” he added.
Bajpai said the MoU marks a significant milestone towards integrating the rich legacy of the Survey of India with academic excellence, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation. Collaborations with institutions like NIT-R will strengthen geospatial education, research and contribute significantly to national development, she said.
Under the five-year agreement, NIT-R will provide expert consultation on complex geodetic surveys and extend research-driven support for the professional advancement of the Survey of India’s personnel. The institute will facilitate specialised training, higher education opportunities and access to research facilities and academic resources.
The collaboration will utilise advanced national infrastructure such as Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) for scientific and applied studies. Intellectual property generated independently will remain with the originating institution, while jointly developed outcomes will be co-owned.
Among others, Prof Kishanjit Kumar Khatua of NIT-R’s Civil Engineering department besides Bharat Kumbhar and Ashish Kaushal from the Survey of India attended the MoU signing ceremony. The Survey of India team presented Geodetic Asset Registers to the NIT-R director on the occasion.