Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for High Technology (CHT), a dedicated technology cell of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) for the hydrocarbon sector, to promote education, research and innovation in petroleum refining, petrochemicals, critical minerals and energy.
A key component of the MoU is the CHT–IITG Research Fellowship Programme. Up to three PhD scholars will be selected every year as CHT–IITG Research Fellows, with a maximum of ten fellows supported at any time.
Each fellow will be jointly guided by an IIT Guwahati faculty supervisor and a co-supervisor/mentor from CHT or a CHT-nominated industry partner, on research topics jointly identified by the two organisations.
CHT–IITG Research Fellows will receive a fellowship 25 percent higher than the prevailing CSIR/UGC-NET/Institute rates, along with HRA, an annual contingency grant and support for research consumables, for up to four years (extendable by one more year).
Candidates qualifying through CSIR/UGC-NET/GATE or selected through a test and interview conducted by IIT Guwahati will be eligible for the fellowship. Fellows may carry out their research at IIT Guwahati and/or at locations designated by CHT and its industry partners.
The broad research areas identified under the MoU include green hydrogen (electrolyser and fuel cell technology), energy storage systems, corrosion engineering, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), CO₂-to-chemicals, crude-to-chemicals, polymers and petrochemicals, catalysts and additives, coal and biomass gasification, process design and intensification, water conservation and wastewater treatment, waste valorisation, alternate fuels, nanotechnology, digitalisation and cybersecurity.
In addition to the PhD fellowship programme, the collaboration will enable long-term sponsored research projects of mutual interest, with potential participation of industry partners.
As India’s hydrocarbon sector moves towards cleaner fuels, petrochemical integration and Net Zero goals, there is a growing need for highly skilled researchers and industry-relevant solutions. This collaboration will bring IIT Guwahati’s research strengths together with the industry expertise of CHT and its partner organisations, building a strong talent pipeline and strengthening industry–academia linkages in the energy sector.
Speaking about the collaboration with CHT, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “This partnership with the Centre for High Technology connects our doctoral researchers directly with the Oil & Gas and energy industry. Through jointly supervised PhD research, sponsored projects and training programmes, it will help develop solutions to real industry challenges and build the skilled workforce needed for India’s energy transition.”
Iit-guwahati ties up with centre for high technology to strengthen research, innovation in energy, hydrocarbon sectors
