Itanagar, Jun 6: The Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) here, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), an agency under the Ministry of External Affairs (MoEA), to promote academic cooperation and research excellence.
The MoU was formalised on the sidelines of the international conference on ‘Global South & Triangular Cooperation: Emerging Facets,’ held at New Delhi on June 3 and 4 last, which gathered delegates from global south countries.
The pact marks a significant milestone in the G20 University Connect initiative, where out of 101 shortlisted universities, only 21, including RGU, were selected to collaborate with RIS, a communiqué from the central varsity said on Friday.
The selection criteria included geographical representation, remoteness from the national capital, the success of the G20 University Connect program, and strong student engagement. RGU’s inclusion underscores its growing importance in Northeast India’s academic landscape.
The MoU was signed by RGU Registrar Dr N T Rikam, and Prof Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General of RIS, in the presence of vice chancellors and academicians.
The RGU delegation attending the conference was led by RGU vice chancellor Prof S K Nayak, along with Dr Rikam, and Prof Kesang Degi from the education department.
Prof Nayak highlighted RGU’s academic contributions and dedication to inclusive development in the northeastern region during the vice-chancellors' panel discussion.
Prof Degi participated in a special session on NETRA (North East Training for Research and Advocacy), addressing Arunachal Pradesh’s potentials, challenges, and opportunities.
The collaboration reflects RGU’s strategic positioning among a select group of institutions advancing research linkages and academic exchange aligned with national priorities and Global South cooperation.
It aims to support specialized training programs, particularly through NETRA, to strengthen research ecosystems and academic infrastructure in frontier areas.
The partnership focuses on joint research and policy studies on development issues relevant to the Global South, facilitating academic exchange, knowledge sharing, and policy dialogue among students, scholars, and faculty.
A key objective is to contribute to capacity building, regional development, and evidence-based policymaking, especially in underserved and remote regions like northeast, the communiqué added.
