The Heritage Network General Assembly Meeting 2024 was hosted by IIT Roorkee, bringing together member universities from Europe and India. The Heritage Network stands as a pioneering collaboration between India and Europe, fostering education and research cooperation across various disciplines. With the backing of over 30 esteemed technical higher education institutions, this network facilitates collaboration in research and academic endeavours that address shared national priorities and societal well-being.
Focused on enhancing Higher Education Cooperation, the Heritage Network endeavours to facilitate academic and research exchanges among partner institutions. It aims to cultivate top-tier educational programs in Engineering, Sciences, Design, and Technology, bridging the gap between Europe and India. Additionally, the network regularly hosts workshops on scientific and technical subjects of mutual interest. The overarching theme for the 2024 General Assembly was “Sustainability: Teaching, Research and Innovation”.
Comprising 13 premier universities from 10 European countries and 16 Indian institutes, the network boasts a diverse membership. European members include institutions such as Ecole Centrale de Nantes (France), TU Dresden (Germany), TU Dublin (Ireland), and others. Indian participants feature renowned names like IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and NIT Warangal, among others. The representation at the General Assembly included senior administrators and policymakers from these universities.
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, situated in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India, stands as the nation's oldest engineering institution. Established in 1847 during British India, it originated as the College of Civil Engineering under the leadership of James Thomason, the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western Provinces. Its primary objective was to provide training for officers and surveyors involved in constructing the Ganges Canal.
The Heritage Network serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration and exchange between European and Indian higher education institutions. Through its focus on sustainable education, research, and innovation, it aims to address pressing societal challenges and contribute to the advancement of knowledge on a global scale.
