Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), a private deemed to be university of the state, on Friday signed an MoU with Research for Resurgence Foundation (RFRF) to jointly undertake research projects in diverse subjects while sharing knowledge and resources and establishing strong academic collaboration.

The RFRF has been founded by Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, a voluntary organization with the core objective of bringing a paradigm shift in research outcome, methodologies and innovation-based technologies.

The MoU was signed by Prof (Dr) Pradipta Kumar Nanda, pro-vice-chancellor of SOA, and Mukul Kanitkar, national organising secretary of Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal.Speaking on the occasion, Kanitkar said with the signing of the agreement with SOA, the RFRF had signed MoUs with 194 universities and was collaborating with several IITs on mission mode projects.

It intended to facilitate research work in universities and research institutes from an Indian perspective, he said.The field of research includes environment, which is facing rapid deterioration, and agriculture.

Pointing out that 18 per cent of India’s agricultural produce is getting wasted for lack of storage facilities and during transportation, Kanitkar said more than 60 per cent of farmers with small holdings had no facility to store their produce.Research is being done on finding small cold storage solutions and post-harvest management, he said adding the other research areas include the Indian family, the changes it had faced over the decades and skill development.

Addressing students and faculty members on ‘The role of research in the resurgence of India’, Kanitkar said: “India will truly become ‘jagatguru’ when students from across the world will queue up for admission into Indian universities in recognition of its wisdom and research potential.”

He also called on SOA founder-president Prof (Dr) Manojranjan Nayak and had an exchange of views.Prof. Nanda said SOA was focused on multi-disciplinary research with 16 research centres and 58 research labs. It is focusing on nanotechnology, biomechanics and biomedical research besides climate-centric investigation for the benefit of the agricultural sector, he said.Prof (Dr) Basanta Kumar Pati of SOA’s faculty of medical sciences also addressed the students. Prof Jyoti Ranjan Das, dean (student welfare) conducted the lecture programme.