Background History of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Between Pune University and Indian Institute of technology, Bombay. It is widely acknowledged that IIT Bombay and University of Pune are institutions of excellence in the Sciences, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences. A vision shared both by Professor Ashok Misra, Director of IIT Bombay and Professor Ashok Kolaskar, Vice Chancellor of Pune University, was the motive force behind the idea of this MoU. Simply put it is this that if these two institutions come together complementing their strength in the form of expertise, resources, infrastructure, they together would be able to make a much stronger impact on the national scene by way of their contribution to the academic fields mentioned earlier and take research, development and teaching activities in these areas to greater heights.

Based on this vision, the two institutions agreed to encourage collaboration and execute a Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed by Prof. Misra and Prof Kolaskar in a simple ceremony held in the Conference Room, Main Building on April 17, 2003. The MoU allows interested faculty of either institution initiating joint research projects in any mutually agreeable field of Sciences, Engineering, Humanities and Social sciences.

Initially two areas of collaboration were identified.

• As part of the MoU it was envisaged that a Centre for Philosophy and History of Science would be established at University of Pune. IITB agreed to assist the University in this endeavour with no specific financial commitment. The details of the collaborative activities are given in the Annexure.

• In Bio-Sciences and Engineering IITB and the University propose to collaborate in the following areas: Computational Biology, Nano Bio Technology, Bio instrumentation, Bio Sensors, Cancer Detection Technology, Cancer Therapy with Hyperthermia, Rational Drug Design, Newer imaging techniques.

Under the provisions of the MoU

• IITB and the University will encourage collaboration in research and education in areas of mutual interest, through reciprocal arrangements for faculty, and joint guidance of Postgraduate students at Master’s and Doctoral levels.

• Interested faculty of either institution may initiate joint research projects.

• The faculty may work together to initiate Web-based instructions to facilitate teaching.

• Both the institutions will enable their members to access their library and archival resources through :
  
  1.  interlibrary loan of books and journals
  2. digitization of manuscripts available with either institutions.

ANNEXURE

Proposed Areas of Joint Research at the Interdisciplinary Center for Philosophy and History of Science
The thrust of the research activities of the Center will relate to understanding the Indian scientific tradition, and will have social, national relevance. Some of the areas of research are as follows:

1. Reconstructing the emergence of modern Indian scientific tradition based on historical evidences..

2. Reconstructing the History of scientific institutions in India and their contributions in establishing and promoting the scientific tradition in the country.

3. Intellectual biographies of eminent Indian Natural and Social Scientists.

4. Study of the current methodologies that bridge and cut across disciplinary boundaries of natural and human sciences.

5. Documentation of the recent Indian contribution to Bio-Sciences, Quantum Physics, Astro-physics and Information Technology and other areas of R&D.

6. Ethical challenges posed by current research on Genomics, Bio-medicine and protein engineering. Also evolve an Ethics of Science and its practices in relation to issues of Intellectual Property Rights.

7. Documentation of science policies, syllabi etc. exhibiting the origin, growth and spread of science education, scientific tradition and temper in India.

8. Linkage between Philosophy and History of Science and Science Education: Critical, reflective attitude and historical awareness, Cognitive issues relating to learning and teaching of science, language of science and other issues in semiotics, language of the scientific textbooks.

It is acknowledged that the above list is not an exhaustive one and other research areas consistent with the objectives of the Center will be undertaken.