Hyderabad, 14 October 2025: The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH) and the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration between academia and industry through joint initiatives in research, training, and innovation.
The agreement aims to bring together expertise from both institutions in food technology, computing, sensing, artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, blockchain, drones, and robotics. The collaboration will focus on developing technologies for agricultural produce grading using computer vision-based sensing, food and product traceability and provenance through blockchain, bio-sensors for detecting adulteration and counterfeits, and AI/ML for large-scale sensor data processing.
The MoU was signed during a visit by Prof. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM-K, and Prof. Vinkel Kumar Arora to IIIT Hyderabad. From IIITH, faculty members including Prof. Tapan Kumar Sau, Prof. Ashok Kumar Das, Prof. Sujit Gujar, Prof. Zia Abbas, and Prof. Abhishek Srivastava shared their ongoing work on bio-sensors, blockchain, RF sensors, and related technologies, identifying several areas for joint research and technology development.
In addition to research collaborations, the partnership includes cooperation in capacity building through joint workshops, hands-on training programs, seminars, and conferences in food science, food engineering, postharvest management, and food business management. It will also promote student development through internships and placements, and explore joint certificate programmes—both online and offline—to build skills in emerging domains.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sandeep K Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, said, “This collaboration reflects IIITH’s commitment to applying technology to real-world challenges. By working closely with NIFTEM-K, we aim to bring digital innovations, AI, and data science into the domains of food technology and agri-entrepreneurship, creating impactful solutions for the industry and society.”
Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM-K, added, “Partnering with IIIT Hyderabad allows us to combine our deep expertise in food technology and processing with IIITH’s strengths in emerging technologies. Together, we can nurture innovation, strengthen industry linkages, and build skilled human capital for the future of India’s food ecosystem.”
The MoU, valid for five years, marks the beginning of a sustained engagement between the two premier institutes to jointly advance research, innovation, and skill development in food technology and related interdisciplinary fields