IIT Delhi and Sorbonne University Launch Joint Master’s and PhD Programmes in Biological Sciences
The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) and France’s Sorbonne University have formally launched a joint master’s programme in Biological Science and a joint PhD course aimed at fostering advanced research and academic collaboration between the two institutions.
The partnership, announced after a high-level delegation from IIT Delhi visited the Sorbonne campus in Paris, seeks to enhance innovation, student mobility, and interdisciplinary research across multiple fields. The initial focus on biological sciences is expected to expand into areas such as material science, artificial intelligence, computer science, informatics, and robotics, according to officials from both universities.
“This collaboration represents a significant step in strengthening academic and research ties between India and France,” said Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Director of IIT Delhi, who led the delegation. “By combining the strengths of two world-class institutions, we aim to create a platform for cutting-edge research and training that addresses global challenges.”
The joint master’s programme will allow students to spend time at both campuses, gaining exposure to diverse research environments. The PhD programme will enable co-supervision of doctoral candidates by faculty from both universities, with degrees awarded jointly.
Discussions during the visit also covered potential joint research projects in healthcare, sustainable development, and advanced computing. Both institutions expressed commitment to deepening collaboration through faculty exchanges, joint workshops, and shared laboratory facilities.
Sorbonne University, formed from the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University and Pierre and Marie Curie University, is one of France’s leading research universities. IIT Delhi is consistently ranked among India’s top engineering and technology institutes. This partnership is expected to boost India-France educational ties, which have strengthened in recent years with agreements on student visas, research funding, and technology transfer.
The joint programmes are set to begin in the upcoming academic year, with applications open to students from both countries and international candidates.
