UTFORSK - Integrating Research and Education in Sustainable Chemical Engineering for Batteries and Water Treatment

Funded by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir).

This project brings together NTNU, IIT Madras, and North Carolina State University to strengthen international collaboration in chemical engineering education. The project focuses on benchmarking and further developing NTNU’s master’s program in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, with emphasis on student-active learning, research-based education, and stronger connectivity across study programs.

A key objective is to redesign selected components of study programs at the partner institutions by integrating themes related to resource recovery from secondary resources, lean process streams, and water treatment. These topics address important sustainability challenges and provide a strong foundation for case-based teaching linked to real-world industrial and environmental needs.

The project will also lay the groundwork for a future joint degree program in Chemical Engineering. This initiative will focus on case-based teaching modules that connect theoretical knowledge with professional practice, helping students develop the skills needed for careers in sustainable process engineering, resource recovery, and environmental technologies.

Project activities will include semester exchanges, research stays, summer internships, workshops, seminars, conferences, and faculty visits. Through these activities, the collaboration aims to enhance international learning opportunities, support curriculum innovation, and build long-term partnerships between the participating institutions.