The University of Ladakh and G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi, Almora signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed for long-term research and academic collaboration between the two institutions in Ladakh on July 13.

The MoU was signed by C. Phuntsog, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, and Er. Kireet Kumar, Director, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Uttarakhand. 

Dr Subrat Sharma, Head, Ladakh Regional Centre, GBP-NIHE briefed about the long-term collaboration plans for developing academic partnership between the two institutions.

C. Phuntsog highlighted the importance and need of such collaborations between various institutions of similar or interlinked mandates and activities. Strategic partnerships between such institutions will promote interdisciplinary thinking and innovation in the field of academics and scientific research, he added. 

He reiterated that both fields (academic and scientific research) are intricately connected and should be seen through the same lens for developing a future generation who thinks rationally and scientifically in all fields of their life.    

Er. Kireet Kumar highlighted the fact that G.B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment with its Pan-Himalayan presence can provide a platform to the students, researchers, and academicians of the University of Ladakh who are interested in understanding the complexities and intricacies of the complex Himalayan ecosystem. The institute conducts interdisciplinary research in all parts of the Himalayas and thus can attract the students of Ladakh in research through various models, demonstrations, case studies, success stories and publications, he added.  

Imteeaz Kacho, Registrar, University of Ladakh; Deskyong Namgyal, Dean, Academic Affairs; Professor Farooq Ahmad Khan; Director, Leh Campus; Dr Sonam Joldan, In-charge Centre for Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan Studies and Nawang Tundup, Assistant Registrar among others were present.

Photo Caption: C. Phuntsog, Vice-Chancellor,  University of Ladakh signing MoU with G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi, Almora for long-term research and academic collaboration between the two institutions in Ladakh.