The universities have also agreed to establish a joint research fund to support academics and researchers as they explore potential research partnerships in data science, energy systems, and biomedical engineering.

Chennai: IIT-Madras and the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom have launched a Joint Masters' programme that will have students studying in Birmingham and Chennai before receiving a single degree awarded by both the universities.

The joint programme will be delivered on campuses of the two institutions and mutual recognition of academic credits issued by each university will lead to the award of a single degree certificate. They have proposed to launch the first joint postgraduate programme in 2023. "This is the first such education partnership at Masters' level between any IIT and a UK Russell Group University," said a statement from IIT-M. "Students would benefit from academic flexibility to learn and work in current areas that would define the future of global engineering and technology."

Professor V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Birmingham, signed a collaborative Statement of Intent in Chennai to explore study areas including data science, energy systems and biomedical engineering, said a statement from IIT-M on Wednesday. The agreement comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in February where both institutions declared their intention to further develop their partnership.

The universities have also agreed to establish a joint research fund to support academics and researchers as they explore potential research partnerships in data science, energy systems, and biomedical engineering.

"The University of Birmingham is a global civic university and committed to forging meaningful education and research partnerships in India," said professor Tickell. "These innovative joint postgraduate programmes between IIT Madras and University Birmingham will offer students the opportunity to pursue a world-class education at globally leading institutions in two countries, and to have their educational achievements recognised by both."

The universities have also agreed to establish a joint research fund to support academics and researchers as they explore potential research partnerships in data science, energy systems, and biomedical engineering.