Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal : Manipur University signed its second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, on June 3, 2025. The signing took place during the International Conference on Triangular Cooperation and South-South Cooperation, held from June 3 to 4 and organized by RIS. With this MoU, Manipur University joins a prestigious group of 21 Indian universities that are now part of the “University Connect Hub” initiative led by RIS. The partnership aims to promote collaborative research, information sharing, and joint publications on mutually agreed research areas.
The MoU was formally signed by Prof. Naorem Lokendra Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, and Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General of RIS.
RIS, a New Delhi-based policy research think tank, plays a leading role in shaping ideas and strategies for the Global South, focusing on sustainable development and cooperation among developing nations.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Manipur University VC Prof. Naorem Lokendra Singh emphasized the strategic importance of Manipur University in advancing research, especially given its geographical and academic focus on Southeast Asia, with particular attention to Myanmar. He highlighted the University’s active engagement in teaching and research in these areas, including the contributions of the Centre for Myanmar Studies.
“This collaboration marks a new horizon for Manipur University, expanding the scope for academic and policy-oriented research. Our continued partnership with RIS will help foster meaningful exchanges of ideas and contribute to broader regional understanding,” Prof. N, Lokendro Singh said.
The latest agreement builds on the first MoU signed between the two institutions in January 2025, which focused on joint work in Indo-Pacific affairs. The Centre for Myanmar Studies was notably highlighted in the earlier agreement.
The RIS University Connect Hub is coordinated at Manipur University by Prof MC Arun, further facilitating engagement between academic institutions and national-level policy research initiatives.
