TU Ilmenau - UniOnline: Building Academic Bridges: What the Thuringian Delegation's Visit to India means for TU Ilmenau

9. June 2026

New partnerships, in-depth technical discussions, and shared visions for the future: In late May and early June, a high-level delegation from Thuringia traveled to India. For University President Prof. Kai-Uwe Sattler and Technische Universität Ilmenau, the trip provided an opportunity to strengthen existing academic ties, initiate new collaborations, and further expand cooperation with one of the University‘s most important international partner countries.

Vier Personen bei Unterzeichnung einer Vereinbarung

TU Ilmenau and Birla Institute of Technology and Science – BITS Pilani for short – laid the groundwork in India for an even more intensive exchange of students, researchers, and knowledge.

The delegation brought together representatives from politics, industry, universities, research institutions, and the media. Across stops in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore, discussions focused not only on trade and skilled labour recruitment, but also on strengthening scientific collaboration, research partnerships, and educational exchange. For TU Ilmenau, the journey highlighted the growing importance of academic cooperation between Thuringia and one of the world's most dynamic knowledge economies, as University President Prof. Kai-Uwe Sattler points out:

India has become an increasingly important partner for German universities. With its rapidly expanding higher education sector, strong focus on excellence, innovation and technology, and large pool of highly qualified students and graduates, the country offers significant opportunities for international academic cooperation.

India as a key partner of TU Ilmenau

The academic dimension of the Thuringian delegation's visit to India builds on a relationship that has been steadily growing for many years. Today, more than 550 master's and doctoral students from India are studying at TU Ilmenau, making India one of the university's most important international partner countries. Joint academic and research collaborations with Indian universities and partners, as well as co-authored publications with Indian scientists, have been an integral part of TU Ilmenau's international activities.

Since 2024, upon facilitation by the Presidential Board of TU Ilmenau in liaison with PD Dr. Sukhdeep Singh, Head of the Research Group Bioorganic Chemistry of Bioactive Surfaces at TU Ilmenau, these activities have gained additional momentum. An important catalyst has been the close collaboration with the Science & Technology Section of the Embassy of India in Berlin. In particular, introductions and networking support provided by Dr. Ramanuj Banerjee, Counsellor (Science & Technology), have facilitated new contacts between researchers and institutions in both countries. Another catalyst was the event India Day 2024 at TU Ilmenau, which PD Dr. Singh and Dr. Jürgen Nützel, deenovum Technologies AG (then 4FriendsOnly.com Internet Technologies AG), together with LEG Thüringen (State Development Corporation of Thuringia) and with the support of the Presidential Board of TU Ilmenau, coordinated – welcoming distinguished guests, including the Indian Consul General.

Against this backdrop, the recent delegation visit – coordinated by LEG Thüringen – should be viewed not as an isolated event but as part of our broader strategic effort to strengthen and expand academic and scientific ties, as Prof. Sattler emphasizes:

For TU Ilmenau, the visit offered an opportunity to further deepen existing partnerships, explore new partnerships and collaborative projects, and discuss bilateral exchange opportunities for students and researchers.

Advancing research and innovation together

Throughout the visit, members of the delegation explored opportunities for cooperation with Indian universities, research centres, and technology institutions. Particular attention was given to areas in which both regions possess complementary strengths, highlighting opportunities for deeper collaboration not only at the institutional level, but across the wider ecosystem of academia, research, and industry that connects India and Germany.

The delegation's program reflected a broader strategic objective: building long-term partnerships that connect academic and research excellence with societal and economic challenges.

Highlights from the visit for TU Ilmenau

New partnership with BITS Pilani

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TU Ilmenau and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, one of India's leading private universities, followed by a campus visit to BITS Pilani in Hyderabad (one of its four locations in India).

Strengthened Cooperation with IIT Delhi

The signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between TU Ilmenau and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) – one of India’s premier and globally renowned engineering institutions – was accompanied by a lab tour of IIT Delhi’s Nano Research Facility (NRF), the Centre for Sensors, Instrumentation and Cyber Physical System Engineering (SeNSE), and the Research & Innovation Park (R&I Park).

Promising Prospects with ICTS

Discussions with researchers at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), the premier research institute of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), revealed strong thematic synergies in fields such as fluid mechanics and other areas of theoretical research, opening promising avenues for future scientific collaboration.

Scientific exchange with India's leading research university

At the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengalore – widely regarded as India's leading research university – the delegation exchanged views with IISc researchers on international cooperation, quantum technologies, and One Health research.

The visit concluded with a tour of IISc's Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) and the National Nano Fabrication Centre, providing insights into the institute's world-class research infrastructure.

Also participating was Prof. Doris Heinrich, Head of Biotechnical Micro- and Nanosystems in Life Sciences at TU Ilmenau and Director of the Institute for Bioprocess and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba) in Heilbad Heiligenstadt:

As I currently supervise, and have supervised in the past, doctoral and master's students from India both at TU Ilmenau and at our affiliated institute, iba, I am particularly interested in their home country and in academic collaborations with India’s outstanding research institutions. Therefore, visiting the IISc Bangalore and IIT Delhi were highlights for me. I am taking away very positive impressions from both the academic and industrial environments and look forward greatly to future collaborations with Indian partners.

A continuing commitment to international academic angagement

As the delegation returns to Thuringia, the success of the visit will ultimately be measured not only by signed agreements but by the lasting networks, joint research projects, and academic and professional relationships that emerge, as Prof. Kai-Uwe Sattler concludes:

For TU Ilmenau, the visit signals a continuing commitment to international academic engagement and highlights the important role that universities will play in shaping the future relationship between Thuringia and India. The contacts established and collaborations initiated during the visit provide a strong foundation for future joint research, academic exchange, and innovative solutions to global challenges.