Dhanbad: The authorities of Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, on Monday inaugurated the ‘Heritage Network Annual General Assembly-2026’, marking a significant step towards deepening academic collaboration between India and Europe.The four-day international conference, organised by the Office of the Dean (International Relations & Alumni Affairs) in association with the department of mechanical engineering, brought together representatives from leading universities across both regions. The inaugural session saw participation from academics, researchers, and institutional leaders.Teresa Zielińska, president of the Heritage Network, described the 2026 assembly as a “milestone year” as the network nears a decade of cooperation. Emphasising the importance of in-person engagement, she said, “Face-to-face interaction is vital in building trust and translating ideas into long-term partnerships.” She highlighted sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive education as shared priorities for India and the European Union.Welcoming the delegates, Rajeev Upadhyay, Dean (IRAA), reiterated IIT (ISM)’s commitment to expanding global engagement. “This platform offers us an opportunity to scale up joint research initiatives, student and faculty mobility, and academic innovation,” he said. The session was conducted by Rajni Singh, dean of corporate communications, who underlined the network’s role in fostering institutional relationships rooted in academic excellence.Vimal Chandra Srivastava, vice-president of the Network, urged member institutions to move beyond bilateral exchanges and develop multi-institutional frameworks. Referring to emerging India–EU funding calls in manufacturing, sustainability, and climate action, he stressed the need for collaborative models benefiting wider academic communities.
