The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) hosted senior officials from the Gujarat Mineral Research Industrial Consultancy Society (GMRICS), promoted by Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), a Government of Gujarat undertaking, on November 18, 2025. The event aimed to explore avenues for long-term collaboration in the areas of mineral exploration, critical minerals, technological innovation, and human resource development for India’s mining sector.
The proceedings included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by IITGN and GMRICS/GMDC, marking the commencement of a long-term partnership that aims to combine industry expertise and academic excellence in areas crucial to India’s strategic mineral future. The visit marks a significant step toward formalising a partnership between the two institutions, with early discussions indicating strong alignment on initiatives that would support joint projects, student internships, industry-oriented research, and multi-institutional collaboration.
The visiting delegation included Dr DK Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, GMRICS; Mr AK Makadia, Senior General Manager (Tech-I), GMDC; and Dr Shailesh D Dav, General Manager-Human Resource, GMDC. Dr Sinha, who holds decades of experience through his service at the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) and the Department of Atomic Energy, emphasised the pressing need to build expertise in critical minerals, calling it “the defining scientific and strategic frontier of the coming decades.” He noted that these minerals are essential to sectors ranging from renewable energy and electronics to national security, observing that countries with strong mineral research ecosystems will hold significant geopolitical advantages.
Through this partnership, faculty and students will gain access to advanced laboratories, field sites, and specialised instrumentation, enabling hands-on learning and high-quality research. It will also support project work and training opportunities that create valuable pathways for students to engage with industry-scale challenges. Faculty and research personnel from both institutions will be able to exchange expertise, deliver specialised lectures, and conduct short courses, enriching the academic and research environment. The partnership also opens avenues for symposia, workshops, and conferences that bring together stakeholders from academia, industry, and government organisations.
Remarking on this seminal collaboration, Prof Vimal Mishra, Dean, Research and Development, IITGN, said, “This collaboration will enhance India’s critical mineral research ecosystem, building technical capacity and developing solutions that support national priorities in mineral exploration and resource sustainability.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, promoting innovation, and contributing to the economic and national technological development.