The Central University of Karnataka (CUK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Survey of India to promote collaboration in research, training and knowledge exchange across multiple disciplines. R.R. Biradar, Registrar of CUK, and Avanish Kumar, Director, Karnataka Geospatial Directorate, Survey of India, signed the MoU as representatives of their respective institutions and exchanged copies in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana in Kalaburagi on November 13.
CUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. Battu Satyanarayana said that collaboration between academia, research institutions and industries was the need of the hour for the country’s progress. “Today, inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approaches to research and development are very important. This MoU will benefit our Departments of Geography, Geology, Computer Science, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. All these departments must work together with the Survey of India to make this collaboration a success,” he said.
Prof. Satyanarayana added that in the present skill-based knowledge economy, practical, industry-oriented learning was essential. “This MoU will help our students gain hands-on experience and acquire industry-ready skills. It will also provide opportunities for our research scholars and teachers to take up research and development projects with the Survey of India,” he said.
Avanish Kumar, Director of the Karnataka Geo-Spatial Directorate, Survey of India, highlighted the organisation’s pivotal role as the nodal agency for geospatial data under the Department of Science and Technology. The Survey of India, established in 1767, had evolved with rich traditions over the centuries. “Under the National Geospatial Policy 2022, the Survey of India bears a special responsibility to ensure that the country’s domain is explored and mapped suitably to provide foundational geospatial data for integrated development, contributing to national progress and sovereignty,” he said.
Prof. Vijayakumar, Director of the University-Industry Hub, said the MoU would pave the way for joint project proposals, exchange of technical expertise and scientific knowledge through visits, seminars and collaborative workshops. It would facilitate student research internships, dissertation work and capstone projects under joint mentorship, encourage co-authored publications and participation in conferences, and promote shared use of research infrastructure, datasets and laboratories.
He added that the partnership would also support the design and periodic revision of under-graduate and post-graduate curricula in geoinformatics, remote sensing, GNSS, cartography and surveying technologies, ensuring alignment with industry standards and national geospatial policies. It would also involve Survey of India experts in curriculum review committees, boards of studies and academic advisory boards.
Mahalingam, the nodal officer from CUK, N. Ramprasad from the Survey of India, Prof. Prashant (Dean, School of Earth Sciences), Prof. Amarendra Matsa (IQAC Director), Prof. R.S. Hegadi, Prof. Shrikantayya, Prof. Paramesh, Tejasvi Lakkundi, Lingadevaru, Rajeev Joshi, Sandeep, Janardhana Reddy, Archana Kujur and Nitin B. were among those present during signing of the MoU.
Published – November 14, 2025 10:54 am IST
