The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management Kundli has signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Saskatchewan Canada to strengthen academic and research collaboration in food science and technology and expand Indo Canadian engagement in the agri food sector.
The agreement was formalised on 3 March 2026 by Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM K, and Baljit Singh, Vice President Research at the University of Saskatchewan, in the presence of Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan, Avinash Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and D Praveen, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The high level participation underscored the strategic importance of the partnership for both countries.
The MoU assumes added significance in light of the recent announcement on the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Pulse Protein through joint collaboration between India and Canada, made in the presence of the Prime Ministers of both nations. The initiative will be led by NIFTEM K from the Indian side and the University of Saskatchewan from the Canadian side, reflecting a focused effort to advance research and innovation in pulse based protein systems.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate on developing online teaching and training programmes in food science and technology, food systems economics and business development. The partnership also provides for short term exchange programmes for faculty members, researchers and students, enabling exposure to global best practices in food processing, value addition and agri food innovation.
The MoU envisages joint research projects, collaborative funding proposals and the design of integrated degree programmes in Food Processing Technology. Both institutions will work towards organising joint seminars, workshops and industry oriented short courses, as well as planning collaborative research initiatives. Specific projects will be formalised through subsequent collaboration agreements to ensure structured implementation and clearly defined outcomes.
The collaboration seeks to combine the University of Saskatchewan’s globally recognised agrifood research ecosystem with NIFTEM K’s mandate as an Institute of National Importance and a one stop solution provider for the Indian food processing sector. By leveraging complementary strengths, the partnership aims to advance innovation, promote sustainable food systems and strengthen food processing value chains in both countries.
Leaders from both institutions emphasised that the agreement will support capacity building, technology driven solutions and research led industrial growth. The initiative is expected to contribute to food security, enhance value addition in agricultural produce and create new opportunities for entrepreneurship in the food sector.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant step in NIFTEM K’s strategy to expand its global academic footprint and reinforce India’s position as a leader in food technology, entrepreneurship and management through meaningful international collaborations.
