IMMT Bhubaneswar and National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, JAPAN, signed a MoU and agreed to collaborate with each other for sharing and advancement of knowledge, development of technology and human resources. The two institutions shall cooperate on “Fabrication of advanced ceramics by powder processing”. The cooperation will include exchange of researchers, exchange of information and publication on the research and implementation of the cooperative research of mutual interest.

The MoU was signed by Prof. B.K. Mishra, Director, IMMT and Dr. L. Besra, Scientist, CMC Department, IMMT, with Prof. Yoshio Sakka, Managing Director, Nanoceramics Center, NIMS, and Dr. Tetsuo Uchikoshi, Chief Researcher, Nanoceramics Center, NIMS, in a function organized at NIMS on November 21, 2008.

The initiative is the first of its kind for IMMT to kick start cooperation with a National research institute abroad. The cooperation will be governed by the following conditions:

1. Cooperation
It is hereby agreed that the two institutions shall cooperate on the “Fabrication of advanced ceramics by powder processing”.

Cooperation shall include:

• Exchange of researchers to execute the research,
• Exchange of information and publication on the research,
• Implementation of cooperative research.
2. Implementation
• In order to carry out the above-mentioned activities and to utilize the results achieved, detailed plan shall be formed through consultation between the two institutions.
• Both institutions shall agree to seek financial support for mutually agreed cooperative activities from appropriate agencies of their respective government and other agencies.
• This memorandum is effective for five years from the date of signing, unless terminated earlier by either institution.
• This memorandum may be amended or extended by written agreement of the institutions.
• The point of contact for implementation of these activities for NIMS shall be the International Affairs Office.
3. Confidential Information
• The institutions will at all times during the term of this memorandum and for a period of five years after keep any confidential information received by them from the other institution. Such confidential information will not be disclosed to any person, other than employees who need to know for the purpose of performing their functions, without the consent of the owner of the confidential information.
4. Return of Confidential Information
• Upon termination of this memorandum for any reason, the institutions shall return all confidential information to the owner.
5. Cooperative Research and Intellectual Property
• Either institution to this memorandum may propose to the other specific individual research projects for collaboration. Such proposals may be made at any time and an individual project agreement will be drafted for each research project. The protection and exploitation of any valuable intellectual property arising out of a research project will be addressed in each individual project agreement.
6. Memorandum not Legally Binding
• This memorandum is intended to broadly state basic understanding by the institutions. Aside from clauses 3 and 4, this memorandum is not legally binding. Financial or fiduciary arrangements for specific research projects will be outlined in separate research agreement(s) between the institutions and external agencies.