Prof. Rajeev Ahuja and Ms. Vini Mahajan Sign IIT Ropar CRRID MoU for AI and Public Policy Research

Collaboration will cover artificial intelligence, data science, governance, rural development, health, agriculture, sustainability and capacity building for Government personnel

Indian Institute of Technology Ropar and the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on research, technology, public policy, academic activities and capacity building.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, and Ms. Vini Mahajan, Chairperson Governing Body, CRRID.
Shri Aaditya Dachalwal (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Rupnagar, and senior officials from both institutions were present at the signing.
The collaboration brings together CRRID’s experience in social science research, development policy and Government assignments with IIT Ropar’s work in engineering, artificial intelligence, data science and emerging technologies.

Artificial intelligence and data driven approaches for public policy and governance will be a key area of the partnership.
The institutions plan to explore AI enabled solutions that can support evidence based policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of public programmes and assessment of Government schemes.
Their collaboration will extend across rural and industrial development, agriculture, health, sustainability, urban governance, public finance, MSMEs and other development related areas.
The institutions will also examine applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, geospatial technologies, digital systems and engineering solutions across these sectors.

Under the MoU, IIT Ropar and CRRID can undertake joint and sponsored research projects and develop and test technology enabled policy solutions.
They can also prepare proposals for Government, multilateral institutions, foundations and industry, along with producing joint research publications, policy papers and reports.
The agreement provides for conferences, policy roundtables, workshops, executive education and capacity building programmes.
Training for Government and public sector personnel will focus on areas including public policy, artificial intelligence, data governance, technology adoption and programme evaluation.

Academic collaboration will include faculty and researcher exchanges, internships, research attachments and mentoring or co supervision of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral research, subject to the academic requirements of the respective institutions.
“This MoU brings together IIT Ropar’s strengths in artificial intelligence, data science and engineering with CRRID’s deep experience in public policy and rural development. Technology works best when it is rooted in ground realities,” said Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar.
“This partnership will help us build AI driven solutions that are practical, responsible and genuinely useful for governance and public service delivery. We look forward to working closely with CRRID on this shared mission,” he added.

Ms. Vini Mahajan, Chairperson Governing Body, CRRID, said development challenges increasingly require closer interaction between technology and public policy.
“India’s development challenges increasingly require us to bridge the traditional divide between technology and public policy. CRRID brings deep understanding of institutions, communities and public programmes, while IIT Ropar brings cutting edge capabilities in technology, artificial intelligence and data science,” Ms. Mahajan said.
“This partnership can help translate these complementary strengths into practical solutions that improve policy design, implementation and outcomes,” she added.

The institutions will also focus on the responsible use of artificial intelligence, including safeguards concerning data protection, cybersecurity, human oversight, explainability and bias assessment.
The MoU will function as an umbrella arrangement for collaboration. Projects involving funding, specific deliverables, intellectual property or data sharing will require separately approved arrangements.

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