Dibrugarh University (DU) and the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) signed a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, formalising a partnership aimed at bridging the gap between academia and the region’s dominant tea industry. The collaboration, facilitated by the Centre for Management Studies (CMS) at DU, promises to significantly enhance research, provide practical industry exposure, and create direct placement opportunities for students.
The signing ceremony took place at the university campus in the presence of Vice Chancellor Prof Jiten Hazarika. The MoU was officially inked by Dr Paramananda Sonowal, Registrar of Dibrugarh University, and Ajay Dhandharia, Chairman of NETA, marking the official launch of the collaborative initiative.
Prof Pratim Barua, Chairperson of CMS, highlighted the strategic importance of the alliance during the ceremony. “This collaboration is a vital bridge between academia and the region’s most important industry. It ensures that our research is impactful and directly addresses the contemporary challenges faced by the tea sector, providing a rich, real-world laboratory for our students,” Prof Barua stated.
Vice Chancellor Prof Hazarika focused on the direct benefits for the student community. “Our commitment is to future-ready graduates. This partnership with NETA guarantees our students, particularly those under CMS, unparalleled access to industry knowledge, essential internship programmes, and concrete placement opportunities within one of the state’s largest employment sectors,” he remarked.
The MoU is specifically designed to facilitate research projects centered on the tea economy, offer structured internship programmes, and prioritise placement for DU students, especially those pursuing Management Studies.
The NETA delegation present included Adviser Bidyananda Barkakoty, Vice-Chairmen Neeraj Jalan and Rajkumar Borthakur, and Executive Committee Member Vikash Agarwal. This academic–industry partnership is expected to enrich DU’s academic ecosystem and lead to impactful sectoral improvements across Northeast India.
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