In a significant move to deepen industry–academia collaboration, NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to advance initiatives in cybersecurity and promote the adoption of modern digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, across its operations.

The MoU was signed by Satyendra Rai, Executive Director (Digital Transformation), on behalf of NMDC, and Professor Ashoke De, Dean of R&D at IIT Kanpur, in the presence of Professor Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, senior NMDC officials and institute representatives.

Under this partnership, NMDC and IIT Kanpur will collaborate on cybersecurity risk assessments; policy, governance and compliance support; AI and ML integration; security operations and incident response; capacity building and knowledge exchange; and joint research and innovation. The two institutions will also conduct training programmes, undertake research, run pilot projects and co-develop proof-of-concept solutions.

Commenting on the collaboration, NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee said, “This MoU brings IIT Kanpur’s advanced research capabilities into NMDC’s extensive operational ecosystem. It will help strengthen our digital defences, enhance operational intelligence and build a secure, future-ready technological foundation.”

The MoU underscores NMDC’s commitment to evolving into a digitally robust and future-ready mining organisation.