MSU, IIT-Bombay join hands for PAIR programme

“As per ANRF guidelines, all sanctioned scientific equipment under the PAIR programme will be centrally procured by IIT Bombay and installed at MSU Baroda. This arrangement ensures that faculty, researchers, and scholars at MSU will have access to state-of-the-art facilities that directly support advanced experimentation, innovation-driven projects, and collaborative research clusters,” MSU said on Tuesday.

Kalyanaraman, who underlined the academic vision of the PAIR programme, said the initiative aims to transform the research culture of Indian universities by enabling sustained collaboration, resource-sharing and rigorous capacity-building. He emphasised that PAIR will not only enhance research productivity but also encourage interdisciplinary work, faculty development, and the creation of research environments aligned with both national priorities and local societal needs, MSU said on Tuesday.

V-C Bhanage also held discussions with IIT Bombay on expanding academic engagement between the two institutions. “He also conveyed the University’s active interest in the ongoing ANRF call for the 2D Material Research Fab and Innovation Hub (2D Innovation Hub). IIT Bombay responded positively, expressing willingness to support MSU’s participation. A dedicated team of MSU researchers is already engaged in preparing a detailed academic proposal for submission,” MSU said, adding that the MoU was an “important academic milestone” as the partnership is expected to “catalyse new research initiatives, interdisciplinary projects, and impactful scholarship for years to come”.