IIT Roorkee and C-MET Hyderabad Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Research in E-Waste Recycling and Electronic Materials

Roorkee, July 03, 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) an institute of national importance and the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) Hyderabad, an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the areas of advanced materials research, e-waste recycling, and technology development.
The MoU was signed at IIT Roorkee’s Greater Noida Extension Centre by Dr. R. Ratheesh, Director, C-MET Hyderabad and Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee.
This collaboration is designed to promote the exchange of faculty, researchers, and students between the two institutions, facilitating joint R&D efforts, the development of state-of-the-art process equipment for e-waste recycling, and the cooperative hosting of workshops and conferences. The collaboration between academia and government exemplifies the growing importance of joint efforts in addressing national challenges through science and technology. This synergy aligns seamlessly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, which aspires to transform India into a fully developed nation by the centenary of its independence.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, remarked, "This partnership with C-MET opens a pathway to impactful research that addresses critical challenges in electronic waste management and sustainable materials. It underscores our commitment to interdisciplinary research and industry-relevant innovation."
Dr. R. Ratheesh, Director, C-MET, shared,"We are delighted to collaborate with IIT Roorkee, one of India's premier engineering institutions. This MoU will allow us to jointly push the frontiers of technology development in advanced materials and recycling, while training the next generation of researchers and engineers."
Surendra Gotherwal, Scientist D, MeitY emphasised, "This MoU not only fosters collaboration between leading research institutions but also opens up unique opportunities for the students and faculty to engage in high-impact, applied research problems as per the requirements of industry. The joint focus on e-waste recycling is particularly relevant in today’s sustainability-driven world."
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), in collaboration with the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C MET), is proud to announce the launch of a pioneering M.Tech. program in E Waste Management. This initiative aims to build national capacity and deep expertise in confronting the escalating challenges posed by electronic waste, in alignment with India’s ambitions for a sustainable, technology-driven future. The partnership also paves the way for student internships, doctoral research collaborations, exchange of academic resources, and shared access to R&D infrastructure. The agreement reflects a broader vision to strengthen India’s capabilities in sustainable electronics, circular economy, and innovation-led manufacturing. The MoUs were further exchanged in the presence of Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at Tec-Verse 2025 event, New Delhi.
The MoU signing ceremony witnessed the esteemed presence of Dr. S. Rajesh Kumar, Centre Head, C-MET Thrissur; Prof. Vivek Kumar Malik, Dean, Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy (SRIC); Prof. Prasenjit Mondal, Head, Department of Chemical Engineering; Prof. Nikhil Dhawan, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering; and Prof. Komal Tripathi, Department of Chemical Engineering, underscoring the collaborative significance of this strategic partnership.