Puducherry: Pondicherry University (PU) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday to promote joint academic and research activities in the fields of Earth Sciences, energy technologies, and sustainable development.

The MoU was formalised at a ceremony held on the university campus in Puducherry, with the participation of senior faculty and research scholars from both institutions. The collaboration aims to facilitate joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programmes, expert lectures, and internships.

Prof. P. Prakash Babu, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, termed the partnership a “perfect synergy between academic and research excellence” and said it aligns with the university's vision to build a knowledge ecosystem that supports India's energy goals while promoting environmental sustainability.

IIPE, established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is recognised for its domain-specific expertise in petroleum and energy. Prof. Shalivahan, Director of IIPE, noted that the collaboration would bridge the gap between lab research and industrial application by combining IIPE's state-of-the-art facilities with Pondicherry University's academic strength.

Prof. S. Victor Anandkumar, Dean of International Relations, highlighted the potential for global and industrial outreach through this partnership, while Dr. Shailendra Singh, MoU coordinator, said the agreement was the outcome of nearly a year of dialogue and planning.

The MoU is expected to pave the way for impactful research and academic cooperation at the national and global level.