OREANDA-NEWS. February 06, 2014. IndianOil's R&D Centre has signed a Statement of Intent with Simon Fraser University (SFU), British Columbia Canada, for conducting collaborative research. SFU is ranked amongst the top 50 universities in the world. SFU specialises in developing clean energy technologies in which IndianOil has considerable interest for future businesses in India.

The agreement was signed by Dr. RK Malhotra, Director (R&D) and Prof. Andrew Petter, President & Vice Chancellor, SFU.

On the occasion, Dr. Malhotra said that IndianOil is looking forward to this exciting partnership which will allow an opportunity for the Indian and foreign researchers to acquire working experience at R&D Centre on projects of our interest and earn their degrees from SFU.

Dr. Malhotra also said that IndianOil recognises and values the lead role which British Columbia is taking in Hydrogen Fuel Cell development and its commercialisation. He hoped that this collaboration will help IndianOil access SFU's expertise in this area.

Hailing R&D Centre as a centre that exemplifies innovation, Prof. Petter expressed happiness at this collaboration and said that India is a priority destination for SFU's research collaborations. Exchange programme would also see SFU faculty and students work in IndianOil's world-class R&D facility, while IndianOil personnel would have access to SFU facilities. This would be an exemplary illustration of Global Industry-Academia Collaboration.

Mr. Philip Steenkamp, VP (External Relations), SFU, Dr. Mario Pinto, VP (Research), SFU, Mr. BP Das, ED(Refining Technology), R&D Centre; and other senior officials from IndianOil, SFU and the Canadian High Commission were also present on the occasion.