CEPT Univ, CMDA sign MoU on research & academic exchange

CHENNAI: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Research & Academic exchange with the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University in Ahmedabad has been signed by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) on Monday.

In a tweet, the CMDA wrote that key highlights of the MOU include creation of an urban action-research program to strengthen Chennai's planning.

The MoU was signed by the CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra and CEPT University official in the presence of State Housing and Urban Development Department Secretary Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana.

As per the MoU, internship programme for students from the CEPT University in the CMDA. Besides, it would support student research and directed research projects, general academic collaboration and research and advisory activities. An overall coordinator would be appointed for the administration of this MOU, it added.

CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra posted that CMDA signed an MoU with CEPT University as a conscious move to include academia in public planning practice. "The partnership allows CMDA to engage CEPT University, which hosts India's premier urban planning school, for knowledge-sharing and carrying out research studies which will boost fact-finding and analysis for evidence-based decision-making," he wrote.

The expertise of the CEPT University could be used for studies related to the Third Master Plan for Chennai and regional plans for extended areas of the metropolis.

CEPT University focuses on understanding, designing, planning, constructing and managing human habitats. It also undertake advisory projects to further the goal of making habitats more liveable. Through its education, research and advisory activities, CEPT strives to improve the impact of habitat professions in enriching the lives of people in India's villages, towns and cities.