Partnerships to drive research, innovation, and human capital development at the intersection of food technology and digital transformation

The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM-Kundli) has formalized collaborative agreements with the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), marking a significant step toward interdisciplinary innovation in food technology, digital transformation, and allied sectors.

The MoUs aim to leverage the complementary strengths of NIFTEM-K and its partner institutions to address national and global challenges through applied research, technology development, and human resource enhancement. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-K, emphasized the strategic vision of these partnerships: “These agreements mark the beginning of collaborations designed to harness our collective capabilities to drive interdisciplinary research and innovation in food technology and allied domains.”

Under the agreements, the institutes will jointly pursue industrially funded and government-supported projects, with a focus on generating publications, patents, and technology transfers. Initiatives will include workshops, seminars, conferences, symposia, and hands-on training programs, aimed at enhancing practical skills in food science, food engineering, postharvest management, and interdisciplinary research.

“These collaborations bridge the gap between food technology, digital innovation, and applied sciences, creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and industry stakeholders,” Oberoi added. By combining NIFTEM-K’s expertise in food technology and entrepreneurship with the digital and engineering prowess of IIIT-H and IIT-H, the partnerships are expected to accelerate innovation pipelines, talent development, and commercialization of new technologies in the agri-food sector.

The agreements also signal a broader strategy to integrate digital transformation with food sector R&D, aligning with India’s vision for tech-driven, sustainable, and globally competitive food systems. The collaborative framework is expected to foster knowledge exchange, industry engagement, and skill development, positioning the participating institutions at the forefront of next-generation food technology and digital innovation initiatives.