17/09/2026
From Programmes to Missions: Envisioning the Next Chapter of Indo-German Collaboration
Strengthening the longstanding academic and research ties between India and Germany, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, shared a forward-looking vision for taking Indo-German collaboration beyond conventional programmes towards mission-driven global knowledge partnerships.
Speaking at the Dinner Reception with DAAD Alumni from IIT Kharagpur, hosted by the German Consulate Kolkata, Prof. Chakraborty outlined five key propositions for the next chapter of collaboration — addressing grand challenges through focused missions, connecting research with entrepreneurship, developing an Indo-German Innovation Corridor with IIT Kharagpur as a key anchor, empowering alumni as active partners, and leveraging Artificial Intelligence to transcend language barriers while preserving cultural identities.
The reception was graced by Ms. Gabriele Manig, Deputy Consul General of Germany, and Mr. Arthur Rapp from DAAD. From IIT Kharagpur, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director; Prof. Anandaroop Bhattacharya, Dean, International Relations; and Prof. Arkopal Kishore Goswami, Associate Dean, International Relations, were present on the occasion.
The engagement also brought together the wider Indo-German academic and research community through the DAAD Workshop at IIT Kharagpur, with over 40 participants representing renowned institutions from across India, including IIT Tirupati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Dharwad, VNIT Nagpur, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Ashoka University, FLAME University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Manipal Institute of Technology, and several other leading universities and institutions. The interactions opened avenues for deeper research collaboration, academic exchange and new institutional partnerships.
Together, India and Germany can build something far more consequential than another successful bilateral academic programme — a new model of partnership where knowledge, innovation and people come together to address challenges of global significance.
Ministry of Education India in Germany (Embassy of India, Berlin) Director IIT Kharagpur Students' International Relations Cell, IIT Kharagpur