What can be termed a major initiative in the direction of strengthening training and research programs, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bankers Institute of Rural Development, Lucknow. IITK Foundation for Advanced Consulting, Education and Training announced this relationship, which is more comprehensive in its scope in its objective to further education and professional development across sectors.

The MoU was signed by Prof. B.V. Phani, Project Director of IFACET, and Shefali Agrawal, Joint Director of BIRD. Both the institutions have a common vision toward the promotion of innovation and excellence in education and research, so they are equally excited about this collaboration. We are happy to be working with IIT Kanpur in a technical partnership that harnesses technological capability and domain knowledge to address some of the pressing challenges facing the country in the banking and financial sectors that include areas of microfinance, climate change, and other areas, shared Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur .

Focus Areas and Initiatives

The project will focus on the following key areas:Banking and FinanceMicrofinanceFinTech and AgriTechClimate Change and FinanceDigital Agriculture and BankingHuman Resource DevelopmentArtificial Intelligence in Banking and FinanceCybersecurity.

IFACET and BIRD will develop and update training modules that will inculcate the latest trends and technologies in the industry so that the training being imparted is relevant and proactive. It shall enhance the professional credentials of the participants through joint certification programs and workshops, providing recognized qualifications in .

Collaborative Research and Networking Opportunities

In addition to training, the partnership will endorse joint research activities on challenges and opportunities in the above-mentioned sectors. Both the organizations will utilize their respective infrastructure and facilities towards this end and therefore build a learning and collaborative community of professionals from industry and all IIT alumni.

Workshops and seminars will be held in which domain experts and industry professionals may discuss emerging technologies and financial strategies and changes in regulatory policies. It will not only provide a chance for the speakers to share their experience and knowledge but also create a collaborative environment for the audience to meet, exchange information, and network regularly among themselves. This itself helps in creating innovative solutions and impactful outcomes to grow and evolve knowledge-based areas.

The collaboration of IIT Kanpur with BIRD further strengthens the process of capability building in training and research in areas of vital importance to both entities. It is a joint commitment of the institutions to advance impactful research initiatives and capacity-building programs that will benefit the professionals, and in such a way, the community at large.