PRESS RELEASE (English)
*IIT Kharagpur Signs MoU with Saint Petersburg Mining University, Russia to Strengthen Academic and Research Collaboration*
Kharagpur | New Delhi 16th Feb 2026 – The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has entered into a strategic academic partnership with Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Russia, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a virtual ceremony.
The MoU was signed in the distinguished presence of Prof. Vladimir Litvinenko, Rector, Saint Petersburg Mining University, and Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur. Both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening Indo–Russian cooperation in higher education, research, and technological innovation.
The partnership aims to promote student and scholar exchange programmes, faculty exchange for joint scientific research, and the development of joint academic programmes for students as well as working professionals. The collaboration will leverage the advanced research infrastructure and expertise of both institutions in areas such as Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Rubber Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geology, Geophysics, and Artificial Intelligence applications in energy and earth sciences.
The ceremony was attended by senior representatives from IIT Kharagpur, including Prof. Anandaroop Bhattacharya, Dean – International Relations; Prof. Kinsuk Naskar, Chairperson, Rubber Technology; Prof. B. B. Mandal, Mining Engineering; Prof. Sandeep Kulkarni, Chairperson, Deysarkar Centre for Excellence in Petroleum Engineering; Prof. Dip Kumar Singha, Associate Professor, Department of Geology and Geophysics; Prof. Suverna Trivedi, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering; and Prof. Paresh Nath Singha Roy, Coordinator SPMU–IIT Kharagpur, Department of Geology and Geophysics.
From Saint Petersburg Mining University, Prof. Evgeniy A. Lyubin, Vice Rector – International Relations, and Prof. Maksim Glazev, Official Representative of Saint Petersburg Mining University, were also present.
This collaboration builds upon the long-standing partnership between India and Russia in Science and Technology. The MoU is expected to contribute significantly to addressing evolving energy needs — ranging from conventional coal and petroleum resources to energy transition critical minerals — while advancing human resource development and technological innovation in alignment with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vikshit Bharat.
Thank You
Pratik Dama
Public Relations Officer
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur,
Kharagpur, West Bengal, India – 721302
Mob – 9975654202
