Pradip Ghosh (left) and Naresh Kumar sign the MoU in the presence of the vice-chancellor. (Kundan Yolmo)

Siliguri, Nov. 27: North Bengal University today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a publicly-funded industrial research and development organisation.

The MoU envisages a co-operation programme on training and research activities between the two institutions, mutually benefiting students and faculty on the one hand, and scientists and researchers on the other.

“The agreement will enable CSIR scientists to participate in teaching programmes through lectures on topics relating to their expertise and our course curriculum,” said NBU vice-chancellor Arunabha Basumajumdar.

The subjects include the fields of biological and chemical sciences, metallurgy and ceramics, he said.

The memorandum was signed in the conference hall of the administrative building in a simple ceremony. On behalf of CSIR, Naresh Kumar, its head of R&D (planning division), and on behalf of the varsity, Pradip Ghosh, its finance officer, signed the document.

“This is a unique MoU. For the first time, teachers and students of a university would be able to avail of the facilities at nine of the 39 well-equipped laboratories the CSIR has all over the country,” said the vice-chancellor

Up to 10 post-graduate students shall be selected a year for a six-to-eight week summer training programme at these laboratories, where they would be extended office, library and laboratory facilities.

“This number could increase, depending on the merit of the candidates and the opportunities available,” Basumajumdar said. The selection for the first batch will begin next month, he added.

Similarly, the university shall extend its facilities to CSIR scientists and researchers on a reciprocal basis.

The university shall accredit participating scientists for guided research, leading to PhD degrees. The MoU will also enable both institutions to explore areas of mutual co-operation through workshops and short-term training courses.