The Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University and ministry of road transport and highways, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on Wednesday to establish the ministry’s professional chair for 10 years focusing on research & development, teaching and training in the area of development of highway sector and technical upgradation, new technology in the field of road safety engineering, development, maintenance and operation of highways.

The MoU was signed by IIT-BHU director Prof Pramod Kumar Jain and director general (road development) and special secretary Indresh Kumar Pandey in the presence of minister of state for RT&H Gen (retired) Vijay Kumar Singh.

After signing the MoU, Jain said that this MoU will strengthen R&D activities and act as a centre of excellence in transport engineering. He added that the creation of MoRTH professorial chair will also act as a strategic advisor to the ministry in new areas relevant to road transport and highway.

Jain further said that the institute and Indian academia will simultaneously conduct studies related to road safety, environment and social impacts under the highway safety development project. The institute will facilitate or undertake dissemination of technology upgrades in planning, design, operation and maintenance for highway, he said adding that the institute will also provide inputs for development as well as amendment of standards to be adopted on safety, new materials, technology and support for preparation of the codes and manuals of IRC on behalf of the ministry.

He added that the institute will assist in evaluation and introduction of new technology for improving road safety and operational efficiencies. Institute will also provide technical guidance to the ministry.

Besides, to undertake PhD research programme on the topics selected by consulting ministry, he said, the IIT-BHU will take 8-10 research scholars including officers nominated by the ministry in the field of highway engineering. Since a PhD thesis takes 3-4 years, institute may take 2 students each year, so that awarding PhD schemes remains a continuous process. The institute will a also propose the ministry to nominate its officers to take part in PG courses, said Jain adding the outcome of the MTech and PhD programmes will be utilized for preparation of state of art report, revision, development of IRC guidelines and code of practice.