The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coventry University Group (UK) to jointly advance research, innovation, and capacity building in artificial intelligence applications for healthcare. The partnership focuses on collaborative projects in AI-driven diagnostics, predictive analytics, medical imaging, telemedicine, and ethical AI frameworks combining IIT Guwahati’s engineering and data science expertise with Coventry’s strengths in health informatics, clinical research, and industry aligned innovation.
Glimpse:
The MoU, signed on January 28, 2026, establishes a framework for joint research grants, faculty/student exchanges, co-supervised PhDs, joint publications, and technology transfer initiatives. Initial focus areas include AI for early detection of tuberculosis, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular risk, and mental health screening using Indian and UK datasets. The partnership also includes plans for joint workshops, hackathons, and startup incubation support to translate AI research into deployable healthcare solutions for India and global markets.
The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) and Coventry University Group (UK) have formalised a landmark partnership to accelerate AI-driven innovation in healthcare through collaborative research, academic exchange, and technology development. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on January 28, 2026, during a high-level delegation visit, establishes a bilateral platform to address shared global health challenges using artificial intelligence.
The collaboration leverages IIT Guwahati’s world-class expertise in computer science, data analytics, machine learning, and biomedical engineering with Coventry University’s strengths in health informatics, clinical trials, digital health ethics, and industry partnerships. Key objectives include:
- Joint research projects in AI applications for diagnostics (TB, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease), predictive modelling (disease outbreaks, readmission risk), telemedicine enhancement, and mental health screening
- Co-supervision of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with mobility between the two institutions
- Faculty and student exchange programmes, including short-term visits and joint teaching modules
- Co-development of AI tools and datasets tailored to Indian and global populations, with emphasis on ethical AI, bias mitigation, and explainability
- Joint workshops, hackathons, and startup incubation support to translate research into scalable healthcare solutions
The partnership also includes plans for shared access to computational resources, anonymised clinical datasets (subject to strict ethical approvals), and co-funding applications under bilateral schemes (UKRI-India partnerships, DST-UKRI calls) and international grants (Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation).
Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, remarked: “AI has the potential to revolutionise healthcare in India and beyond, but progress requires global collaboration and interdisciplinary expertise. Partnering with Coventry University allows us to combine India’s scale and innovation ecosystem with the UK’s leadership in health informatics and clinical validation creating solutions that are both technically advanced and practically deployable.”
Coventry University leadership added: “This partnership with IIT Guwahati brings together two dynamic institutions committed to impactful research. By focusing on AI in healthcare, we aim to produce innovations that improve patient outcomes, reduce inequalities, and support sustainable health systems in India, the UK, and globally.”
The MoU is part of IIT Guwahati’s broader internationalisation strategy and Coventry’s “Global Research Excellence” agenda, with first joint projects already in planning stages. The collaboration is expected to yield high-impact publications, patents, and deployable AI tools within the next 2–3 years.
“AI in healthcare succeeds only when it is developed collaboratively across borders and disciplines. This partnership between IIT Guwahati and Coventry University is a powerful step toward creating inclusive, ethical, and impactful solutions for global health challenges.”
By
HB Team
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