Page 32 - EW December 2025

Education Briefs

BITS-Pilani landmark expected to begin their studies at York ate Dean (International), Southamp-

foreign MOUs in September 2028. ton School of Life Sciences, added that
“This partnership emphasises
the MoU will leverage the strengths of
Pilani, november 13. The top-ranked quality and preparedness. Students both institutions in life sciences and
Birla Institute of Technology & Sci- will learn through a Canadian-style engineering, in particular.
ence (BITS)-Pilani announced sign- applied curriculum close to home
ing of five landmark Memoranda of for two years, and then transfer with Merck Young Scientist
Understanding (MoUs) with leading confidence to Toronto. We are pleased
European institutions — CentraleSu- that York will support our students Awards 2025
pelec (France); Dresden University of through scholarships, housing re-
Technology (Germany); University of sources, and guidance from certified Bangalore, november 28. Merck Ltd
Groningen (Netherlands); KU Leuven student immigration specialists to (India), a subsidiary of Merck Group,
(Belgium); and Technische Universi- ensure a smooth transition to Can- Germany (estb.1668), announced the
tat Ilmenau (Germany). These strate- ada,” said Dr. Madhu Chitkara, winners of the Merck Young Scientists
gic partnerships are set to significant- pro-chancellor, Chitkara University, Awards 2025, honouring and recog-
ly deepen BITS-Pilani’s international speaking on the occasion. nising India’s brightest researchers
curricula, enhance student and faculty “The York-Chitkara alliance em- driving groundbreaking innovations
mobility, and boost joint research ini- bodies these values. Building on in life sciences.
tiatives. our tradition of welcoming Chit- Announcing the winners,
“By aligning with leading institu- kara students to York, we are proud Dhananjay Singh, Managing Di-
tions in Europe, we are not only en- to formalise a hybrid pathway that rector, Merck Life Science, India, said:
hancing the quality of our study pro- enables talented Indian students to “Merck continues to celebrate India’s
grams but also preparing students to build strong academic foundations brightest minds who are expanding
thrive in a multicultural and interdis- at home, then transition seamlessly the horizons of science and research.
ciplinary world. This is about building to Canada to complete a York degree The winners of the 2025 edition reflect
bridges of knowledge and developing with paid industry experience,” added the spirit of innovation, resilience, and
a new generation of global citizens and Dr. Rhonda Lenton, President and mission-driven research, driving the
innovators,” said Prof. V. Ramgo- Vice Chancellor, York University. country towards becoming a global
pal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pi- R&D powerhouse.”
Sixteen scientists in biological sci-
lani, addressing the media. Mahindra-Southampton ences and chemical sciences under
Chitkara-York (Canada) MoU two main categories — Emerging Tal-
ent (early-career scientists) and Scien-
partnership Hyderabad/new delhi, november 19. tific Excellence (mid-career research-
Mahindra University signed a Mem- ers) were selected from over 2,000
Chandigarh, november 15. Chitkara orandum of Understanding (MoU) applicants countrywide.
University, Chandigarh and York with the University of Southampton, In chemical sciences, the Sci-
University (Toronto, Canada) signed UK, to stimulate extensive academic entific Excellence winner was Dr.
a MoU to launch a 2+2 academic path- exchange and joint research. Under Bishnu Prasad Biswal, NISER,
way in computer science. Under this the MoU, the signatory institutions Bhubaneswar and Dr. Janakiram
new pathway, students will complete will strengthen cooperation and create Vaitla, IIT-Delhi. Emerging Talent:
the first two years of the Bachelor of new pathways for innovation, knowl- Dr. Sanjib Panda, IIT-Madras &
Engineering (BE) in computer sci- edge exchange and global learning. Dr. Vignesh Palani, IISC, Banga-
ence program at Chitkara University, “We are elevating our global pres- lore.
paying domestic tuition fees in India. ence through strategic international In biological sciences, the Scientific
Subsequently they transfer 100 per- collaborations. We are multiplying Excellence winners are Dr. Gaurav
cent of their academic credits to York such partnerships to build a more Ahuja, IIT-Delhi and Dr. Topomoy
University’s Lassonde School of En- diverse academic ecosystem for mul- Bhattacharjee, NCBS. Emerging
gineering in Toronto, where they will tidisciplinary learning, exchange of Talent: Dr. Swati Sudhakar, IIT-
complete two years of York’s Bachelor knowledge and preparing students Madras & Dr. Amit Nain, IIT-Delhi.
of Science (B.Sc) computer science for an interconnected world,” said Winners in the Emerging Talent
program. Upon successful comple- Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancel- category received Rs.250,000. Each
tion, they will earn a York University lor, Mahindra University, speaking on winner in the Scientific Excellence cat-
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in the occasion. egory received Rs.350,000 (including
computer science. The first cohort is Prof. Amritpal Mudher, Associ- a travel grant of Rs.100,000).

32 EDUCATIONWORLD DECEMBER 2025