Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 26: Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) and the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Mangaluru, formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony held at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru on September 18. This landmark agreement signifies the beginning of a strategic collaboration focused on advancing financial inclusion, fin-tech, agri-business development, banking innovation, agri-tech, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
The event was embraced by distinguished guests including V S Balasubramanian, joint director of BIRD-M, Dr M Vijaya Kumar, Hon vice chancellor of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Dr Gangadhara Somayaji, registrar, Dr Arun A Bhagwath, principal & dean, faculty of science, YIASCM and Dr Niyaz Panakaje, coordinator of YEN-REFINED, along with other delegates from both institutes.
The Hon vice chancellor, Dr M Vijaya Kumar, congratulated the entire team on this important milestone and expressed his best wishes for the new beginnings that this MOU brings. He commended the partnership as a significant step toward advancing collaborative research and development. Dr Gangadhara Somayaji, registrar, echoed these sentiments, wishing the best for the future activities that will arise from this partnership, ensuring its success in achieving impactful results.
During the discussions, V S Balasubramanian highlighted the significance of collaborative conferences to bolster the focus areas outlined in the MOU, with a particular emphasis on capacity-building programmes. He acknowledged the need to bring experts together to explore innovative solutions for rural development and foster a sustainable impact through joint knowledge-sharing platforms.
Dr Arun A Bhagwath, principal & dean of the faculty of science, underscored the role of YEN-REFINED in creating a vibrant research ecosystem. He emphasized how the institute is actively working to enhance research initiatives and foster innovation in key areas like financial inclusion and rural entrepreneurship. YEN-REFINED’s ongoing efforts to build and support the research community were a key highlight of his speech.
Dr Niyaz Panakaje, coordinator of YEN-REFINED, elaborated on the various core areas of YEN-REFINED’s focus, including agri-tech and agripreneurship. He emphasized the institute's collaborative research efforts, which bring together a wide range of contributors—from eminent professors, visiting industry experts, visiting research fellows and research interns. Dr Panakaje stressed the importance of advancing research in these critical areas, as YEN-REFINED continues to lead initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development.
YEN-REFINED’s progress was highly appreciated by BIRD, particularly in terms of its consistent organization of workshops and capacity-building programs that have made a significant impact in the field. The partnership established by the MOU is expected to further enhance these efforts, providing a strong foundation for innovative solutions addressing rural challenges and sustainable development.
The collaboration is poised to make a substantial contribution to the rural sector, advancing research, innovation, and growth in critical areas of development.