CHENNAI: Anna University, Chennai, entered a new era of information-technology driven collaboration on Wednesday by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Houston for promoting areas of mutual interest and common academic programmes.

Cyber signing

This is for the first time that the university has gone in for a cyber signing ceremony through a videoconferencing link.

The agreement was signed between D. Viswanathan, Vice-Chancellor, Anna University, and Jerald Strickland, Vice-Chancellor, University of Houston.

"The research collaboration between the two universities, especially in mutual areas of interest such as nanotechnology and energy efficiency, will result in great benefits to both Tamil Nadu and Houston. It would also be of relevance to India where a greater emphasis is being laid on the saving of energy in sustainable development," Minister for Higher Education K. Ponmudi, present at the signing ceremony, said.

"The MoU will facilitate further collaboration between the universities in academic programmes, research and faculty development. We are very keen to promote active collaboration in specialised areas of interest such as computer science and energy management," Mr. Viswanathan said.

"The pact was the result of a broad-based quantum of efforts by the University of Houston, the U.S. Consul and community representatives, and signifies a wonderful modern technology connection," Donald Foss, vice- president, University of Houston, said.

The pact will be a step ahead in the proposal for a sister cities project involving Chennai and Houston, said S.N. Gawai, Consul-General of India in Houston.

Joint graduate studies

"We can now look at areas such as joint research and joint graduate studies and continued dialogues between colleges and faculty on both sides in mutual areas of interest," Mr. Strickland said.

K. Ganesan, Higher Education Secretary; Mark Russell, Commercial Consul, U.S. Consulate, Chennai; P. Vaidyanathan, Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Consulate; and K. Jayaraman, Anna University Registrar, were present.

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