We welcome you to come along to this public lecture delivered by leading academics at one of India’s top universities, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IITD).

University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, and University of Otago are thrilled to be hosting senior leadership from IITD on 2 May; Prof. James Gomes, Dean of International, and Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar, Dean of Research & Development.

While in the South Island, James and Naresh invite you to learn more about the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, one of 23 IITs created to be Centres of Excellence for training, research and development in science, engineering and technology in India and home to the ‘New Zealand Centre at IITD’. One of the top universities in India, IITD stands at #197 globally (QS 2024) and #2 in the QS Asian University Rankings. It is widely known as an elite institution for STEM with its inception as an engineering college in 1961. The selectivity for entrance into India’s top IITs is extreme with offers going to the top 1% in the national exam system.

Naresh and James will introduce IITD along with their own areas of research (information in their bios below). The IITD delegation are visiting New Zealand as part of our engagement under the New Zealand Centre at IITD.

In 2024 UC’s Prof Clemency Montelle and Prof Matthew Wilson are two of the recipients of the inaugural IIT-Delhi -New Zealand Centre Fellowships, along with Dr Marea Colombo from University of Otago and Dr. Emilio Jose Garcia from University of Auckland.

RSVP before Thursday 25th April to confirm your seat.

The event will run as follows:

3.30pm – brief welcome by UC leadership followed by public talk by IITD

4.15pm – Q&A

4.30pm - light refreshments served

Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar

Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar completed his Ph.D. in 1992 from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) and worked in Industry before joining academia. He pioneered research in the area of machining of composites at IITB in the early 1990s, which is still relevant today. He worked extensively over the years to produce innovative and reliable products from fiber-reinforced polymer composites with applications spanning diverse fields from defence to aerospace to automotive. At the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Prof. Bhatnagar has pursued multidisciplinary research in areas of polymer material processing, biomaterials and biomedical implants, nano-composites, microcellular extrusion and injection molding, manufacturing of bullet and blast-resistant materials and novel characterization methods for polymeric composites. He has also supervised 33 doctoral theses, with 15 still ongoing and 80 Master’ dissertations in various areas related to materials, manufacturing and product realization. He has published in 190+ international peer-reviewed journals and in 200+ international/national conferences. His current research interest is the design and development of bullet-resistant personal body armor. He is the current Dean of Research & Development at IIT Delhi.
Areas of Interest: Biomedical Implants, Biomaterials Processing, Polymeric Composites and Nanocomposites, Micro and Nano Cellular Thermoplastic Composites, Machining of Composites, Tissue Engineering - Scaffolds, Injection Molding and Mold Design, High Impact Composites – Ballistics, Bullet-proof material development, Hydrogen storage cylinders.

Prof. James Gomes

James received his Bachelors’ degree in Chemical Engineering from Jadavpur University and M.S. and PhD from Tulane University, New Orleans, USA. He worked for Process Services Inc., Baton Rouge and L&T, Powai, Mumbai, before joining IIT Delhi. His current research interest is in the area of Systems and Network Biology. His group focusses on the application of mathematical and computational methods to study disease networks, understand disease progression and determine new drug targets, followed by directed experiments. Particular areas include neurodegenerative diseases and virus-host interaction networks. James has interest in emergent properties arising in complex systems and a growing interest in the mind and consciousness problem. During leisure he spends time on eastern and western philosophies, and painting. In addition to active research and teaching, he currently leads the Office of International Programs through his service as the Dean, International Programs at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.