Hyderabad: Rectors & VC’s from 20 German Universities visits IITH to expand academic and research collaborations

Hyderabad, 17 th March 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) welcomed a delegation from the “Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst” (DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service) to discuss potential academic and research collaborations.

Twenty German University leaders visited India as a part of “Information visit for heads of German universities to India”, organized by DAAD. The programme includes visits to various higher education institutions in Hyderabad and New Delhi. As a part of this program, the team visited IIT Hyderabad today. The visit focused on investigating and developing bilateral partnerships with Indian higher education institutions. The discussions were led by Dr. Kai Sicks, General Secretary, DAAD, Ms. Kathrin Misera-Lang, Consul General, German Consulate Chennai and Prof. B S Murty, Director, IITH.

The main intended outcomes for this delegation of German education leaders to visit IIT Hyderabad are: • Research collaborations in areas of mutual interest • Faculty and student exchange programs • Joint supervision and dual-degree programs • Identification of common research priorities • Joint workshops, virtual brainstorming sessions, and collaborative research proposals

Dr Kai Sicks, General Secretary, DAAD mentioned “The German Academic Exchange Service is proud to have brought together such a big group of rectors and vice-chancellors of distinguished German Universities to India. A big Thank you to Prof Murty, Prof. Panda and colleagues from IIT Hyderabad for the exciting program and for your hospitality! ”

Dr. Kathrin Misera-Lang, Consul General, German Consulate Chennai said “Germany and India are currently expanding their partnership in many fields. Closer academic cooperation holds a lot of potential. As German Consulate General in Chennai, we stand ready to support all initiatives in this regard.”

Prof. B S Murty, Director, IITH, emphasized the importance of international collaborations in advancing research and education. He stated, “IIT Hyderabad is committed to fostering global partnerships that drive innovation and academic excellence. The visit of the DAAD delegation and esteemed German university leaders marks a significant milestone in strengthening Indo-German ties in higher education and research.

We look forward to establishing deeper partnerships through joint research, faculty and student exchange programs, and the creation of a Centre of Excellence that will benefit both Nations. This collaboration aligns with our vision of making IIT Hyderabad a global hub for cutting-edge research and innovation.”

This delegation visit represents a significant milestone in Indo-German academic relations, reinforcing IIT Hyderabad’s dedication to fostering international partnerships in research and higher education.

Delegation members including DAAD Regional Office New Delhi:

1.Dr. Kai Sicks, General Secretary, DAAD 2. Dr. Kathrin Misera-Lang, Consul General, German Consulate Chennai 3. Ms. Alema Ljumanovic-Hück, Director, iDA/DAAD 4. Dr. Katja Lasch, Director – DAAD India & DWIH New Delhi 5. Ms. Nishka Thukral, Executive Assistant to the Director, DAAD India 6. Ms. Shikha Sinha, Senior Advisor – International Cooperation, DAAD India 7. Ms. Amita Desai, Honorary Consul, Germany Honorary Consul in Hyderabad 8. Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, Cottbus University 9. Prof. Ulf Richter, Universität Duisburg-Essen Media Release Page 2 of 3 10. Dr. Christian Josef Zens, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg 11. Dr. Valérie Schüller, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen 12. Prof. Dr. Christine Fürst, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg 13. Dr. Martin Hecht, Universität Hamburg 14. Prof. Dr. Andreas Marx, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena 15. Prof. Dr. Oliver Frör, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau 16. Prof. Dr. Eva Inés Obergfell, Universität Leipzig 17. Prof. Dr. Evelyn Korn, Philipps-Universität Marburg 18. Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann, Technische Universität München 19. Prof. Dr. Johannes Wessels, Universität Münster 20. Dr. Achim Dilling, Universität Passau 21. Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D., Universität Potsdam 22. Prof. Dr. Michael Weber, Universität Ulm 23. Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum 24. Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig 25. Prof. Dr. h. c. Michael Hoch, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn 26. Mr. Niels Helle-Meyer, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 27. Prof. Dr. Verena Blechinger-Talcott, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin

IIT Hyderabad Representatives: • Prof. BS Murty, Director • Prof. Tarun Kanti Panda, Dean (International Relations) • Prof. Prem Pal, Dean (Administration) • Dr. Mayur Vaidya, Assistant Professor, MSME Department