Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DigiTruce Private Limited on May 8, 2026, to promote collaborative research, innovation, technology development, and student skill-building in emerging technology domains.
The collaboration aims to create a broad framework for strategic engagement between
academia and industry in areas such as operational technology (OT), cybersecurity, artificial
intelligence, automation, robotics, software development, defence technologies, and other
emerging sectors of mutual interest.
Under the MoU, IIT Gandhinagar and DigiTruce will explore opportunities for joint research and
development projects, industry-academia engagement, technology validation and
commercialisation initiatives. The partnership will also focus on student internships, live industry
projects, and exposure programmes to help bridge the gap between academic learning and
real-world technological applications.
The agreement further enables both organisations to collaborate on industry and government
projects where complementary expertise exists. IIT Gandhinagar may provide academic and
research support for selected Research and Development initiatives through faculty
consultation, research assistance, and access to laboratory and testing infrastructure, subject to
institute policies and approvals.
The MoU also outlines provisions related to intellectual property rights, confidentiality, project-
specific collaborations, and future revenue-sharing mechanisms for jointly undertaken initiatives.
Speaking on the collaboration, representatives from both organisations highlighted the
importance of stronger industry-academia partnerships in accelerating translational research
and building scalable technology solutions aligned with national priorities.
Mr K S Cheema, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of the K S Cheema Group of
Companies, highlighted the growing importance of collaboration in strategic and emerging
technology sectors, particularly in defence and cybersecurity research. He said, “India’s
strategic technology and cybersecurity ecosystem is evolving rapidly, particularly in areas such
as defence technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, and space technology. Collaborations
between academia and industry are essential to translate research into practical and scalable
solutions with real-world impact. Institutions like IIT Gandhinagar bring strong research
capabilities, while industry contributes problem statements and implementation experience.
Such partnerships can play an important role in strengthening innovation and technology
development in emerging sectors.”
“We are committed to strengthening collaboration, improving communication across teams, and
ensuring that every decision is guided by transparency and progress. Over the past year, we
have focused on building stronger systems, investing in our people, and creating opportunities
for sustainable growth. While challenges remain, our vision is clear; to continue moving forward
together with confidence, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence,” said Prof
Vimal Mishra, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Gandhinagar.
“We believe this ecosystem creates significant opportunities to take research from concept to
real-world application,” said WG CDR Sonika (Retd.), Founder & CEO, DigiTruce Private
Limited.
The interaction following the MoU signing focused on building a long-term collaborative
framework between academia and industry. Participants discussed the importance of creating
structured engagement through regular meetings, joint research initiatives, student involvement,
and industry-driven problem statements. The discussions also emphasized the need to convert
research discussions into implementable solutions and meaningful technology outcomes.
The partnership reflects IIT Gandhinagar’s continued focus on strengthening innovation
ecosystems through interdisciplinary research, startup engagement, and industry collaboration,
while supporting the development of future-ready technologies and talent. The MoU will remain
valid for an initial period of three years from the date of signing.