THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3, 2026

National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management-Kundli (NIFTEM-K), an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Saskatchewan (USask), Saskatoon, Canada, to advance academic and research collaboration in the field of Food Sciences.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM-K, and Dr. Baljit Singh, Vice President (Research), University of Saskatchewan, in the august presence of Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan; Avinash Joshi, Secretary, MoFPI; and D. Praveen, Joint Secretary, MoFPI.

The high-level participation underscores the strategic importance of this partnership in strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Canada in the agri-food sector. The MoU gains added significance following the announcement of the Establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Pulse Protein through joint collaboration between India and Canada, made yesterday in the august presence of the Prime Ministers of both countries. This initiative will be led by NIFTEM-K from the Indian side and the University of Saskatchewan from the Canadian side.

Under the five-year agreement, both institutions will collaborate on the development of online teaching and training programmes in food science and technology, food systems economics, and business development. The partnership will also facilitate short-term exchange programmes for faculty, researchers, and students, fostering cross-learning and exposure to global best practices in food processing and innovation.

The MoU further outlines cooperation in joint research projects, collaborative funding proposals, and the development of integrated degree programmes in Food Processing Technology. The collaboration seeks to leverage USask’s robust agri-food ecosystem and global research strengths alongside NIFTEM-K’s mandate as a “One Stop Solution Provider” for the Indian food processing sector. Key areas of engagement include joint seminars and workshops, short-term academic exchanges, industry-oriented short courses, and collaborative project planning. Both institutions will identify mutually beneficial initiatives and formalize specific projects through subsequent collaboration agreements to ensure structured implementation and measurable outcomes.

Speaking on the occasion, the leadership of both institutions emphasized that this partnership will catalyze innovation, capacity building, and technology-driven solutions for sustainable food systems. By combining the expertise of two leading institutions situated within dynamic agri-food ecosystems, the collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to advancing food security, strengthening food processing value chains, and promoting research-driven industrial growth in both countries.

This MoU marks a significant milestone in NIFTEM-K’s sustained efforts to expand its global footprint and reinforce India’s leadership in food technology, entrepreneurship, and management through impactful international partnerships.