Doon University, India, and the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Mexico, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11th September 2026 (Friday) to lay down the foundation of international academic collaboration and partnership. CINVESTAV, established in 1961, is internationally recognized for advanced research across the natural sciences, engineering and humanities. As an autonomous, federally funded public research institution, CINVESTAV operates through a network of 11 campuses across Mexico and has made significant contributions to cutting-edge research and advanced studies. This partnership aims at promoting academic, scientific and research collaboration between the two premier institutions and further strengthening cooperation between India and Mexico in higher education, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, humanities and social sciences.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Chancellor of Doon University and Governor of Uttarakhand), Mrs. Deepti Ganji (Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India in Mexico, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India), Prof. Surekha Dangwal (Vice Chancellor of Doon University), Prof. Alberto Sánchez Hernández (Director General of CINVESTAV), Prof. Martha Espinosa (Coordinator, International Relations, CINVESTAV),  Prof. Janet Murbartian (Secretary of Planning, CINVESTAV), Dr. Abdel Perez Lorenzana (Academic Secretary of CINVESTAV) and Dr. Arun Kumar (Director, Research & Development, Doon University)  along with senior officials and scientists from CINVESTAV, faculty members, researchers, students and distinguished guests.

Governor of Uttarakhand said that the collaboration marks an important milestone in the growing academic and scientific engagement between India and Mexico. He emphasized the need to move quickly from the signing of the MoU to concrete programmes and measurable outcomes. He encouraged the leadership of both institutions to establish joint working groups at the earliest to identify priority areas, develop collaborative projects and facilitate implementation of the partnership.

Prof. Surekha Dangwal (Vice Chancellor, Doon University) said that the potential areas of cooperation include joint research activities, joint research projects, faculty and researcher exchange, student mobility, organization of joint seminars, conferences and workshops, development of joint academic programmes, exploration of joint degree programmes; and other initiatives of mutual academic and national interest. She also stated that the subjects in which collaborative work will be done are Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Culture, Design, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Psychology and Urban Development Management.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Deepti Ganji (Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India in Mexico, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India) highlighted the important role played by Dr. Pankaj Sharma (Ambassador of India to Mexico) in promoting academic and research linkages between institutions of India and Mexico. She also recalled an earlier milestone in Doon University’s engagement with Mexico. In March 2023, Doon University signed its first MoU with the Instituto de Química of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The collaboration has subsequently contributed to faculty exchange, student mobility and joint research activities. She also noted that this academic partnership of Doon University with CINVESTAV builds upon the broader efforts of India and Mexico to deepen cooperation in science and technology. In this context, she also highlighted that the MoU signed on 4 March 2023 between India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) is an important bilateral initiative aimed at expanding cooperation and exchange in research, technological development and innovation. In her address, Mrs. Deepti Ganji also laid down emphasis on the complementary strengths of Doon University and CINVESTAV. The partnership brings together two institutions with significant strengths in research and higher education. According to her, Doon University is a premier state-funded university of Uttarakhand, serving bright and meritorious students from the region and beyond. The University has been accredited with Grade “A” by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). It is also among the universities selected under the Government of India’s Promotion of University Research & Scientific Excellence (PURSE) programme. She also draw the attention of Director General of Cinvestav towards the fact that Doon University is participating in the first phase of the Partnership for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme implemented by the
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), with IIT Madras as its partner institution. She also thrown light on the credentials of Cinvestav.

Prof. Alberto Sánchez Hernández (Director General of CINVESTAV) expressed confidence that the complementary academic and research strengths can create substantial opportunities for joint research, knowledge exchange, student development and international academic engagement. He said that the two institutions would explore innovative models of international academic cooperation and work towards establishing joint programmes and degrees that could provide new opportunities for students and researchers in both countries. He also acknowledged the presence of Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Chancellor of Doon University and Governor of Uttarakhand) as a significant encouragement to the partnership. The leadership of Doon University and CINVESTAV also congratulated their faculty members, researchers, scientists and officials for taking this important step towards international collaboration rather than working in institutional silos.

Dr. Abdel Perez Lorenzana (Academic Secretary of CINVESTAV) presented the summary of the academic programmes and areas of research in Cinvestav. He said that the MoU is expected to open new avenues for academic exchange, scientific research and capacity building while contributing to the broader India–Mexico relationship in higher education, science and technology.

Dr. Pankaj Sharma (Professor of UNAM, Mexico) expressed his wholehearted support for the future endeavours of Doon University and CINVESTAV, with the shared vision that the partnership will serve as an example of strong international cooperation and produce visible and tangible benefits for students, researchers, institutions and the two nations.

Durgesh Dimri (Registrar, Doon University), Prof. RP Mamgain (Dean, School of Social Sciences), Prof. B.S. Bisht (Department of Geography), Dr. Himani Sharma and Dr. Charu Dwivedi were also present in Lok Bhawan in the ceremony.

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