Fostering collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

In the beginning of March the entrepreneurship and innovation research subject, Luleå University of Technology had the pleasure of hosting a Professor P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan from the Department of Management Studies (DMS), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), marking a significant step in international academic collaboration.

Prof. Ilavarasan, a prominent figure in the study of digital transformation in India, shared his insights into the remarkable strides India is making in digital public infrastructure through the India Stack initiative and also attended meetings with education heads at Luleå University of Technology.

The event underscored the ongoing research and education collaboration between DMS IIT Delhi and Luleå University of Technology, generously supported by STINT, The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education. This partnership is not only a testament to the global scope of academic cooperation but also a beacon for future endeavours in shared knowledge and resources.

During his presentation for the staff and researchers in Entrepreneurship and Innovation research subject, Prof. Ilavarasan focused on the digital transformation journey of India, emphasizing the critical role of investment in digital public infrastructure. The India Stack initiative, as he detailed, is a pioneering effort to make digital resources accessible worldwide, fostering inclusivity and innovation on a global scale. This initiative is particularly noteworthy for its ambition to make these digital resources openly available to all countries, potentially revolutionizing how nations interact with digital infrastructure.

During his visit, Prof. Ilavarasan also met with notable Luleå University of Technology faculty, including Åsa Wallström, Professor and Head of the Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Daniel Örtqvist, professor and program director within the same department and Johan Frishammar, program manager for industrial engineering and management program. These meetings were not mere formalities but avenues for deep discussions on potential synergies between Luleå University of Technology and IIT Delhi, especially in education domains critical for the digital age.

The collaboration between Luleå University of Technology and IIT Delhi, facilitated by STINT funding, is a clear indication of the shifting paradigms in higher education and research. It signifies a move towards more open, collaborative efforts that span geographical and disciplinary boundaries. Such international partnerships enrich the academic community, offering students and researchers alike unparalleled opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives and expertise. The discussions initiated during this visit are likely to spur further collaborations, research projects, and academic exchanges in the future, underlining the importance of international cooperation in the realm of higher education and research. As Luleå University of Technology and IIT Delhi continue their collaboration, the academic community eagerly anticipates the ground-breaking work that will emerge from this fruitful partnership.