HORIBA India Awards Talent Hunt Scholarships to 30 Students at IIT Roorkee; Signs MoU for Sustainable Farming Project

IIT Roorkee, April 7, 2025: Continuing its commitment to empowering education through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), HORIBA India awarded the HORIBA Talent Hunt Scholarship 2024-25 to 30 meritorious students of the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee).
 
The scholarship, launched in 2023 under the theme ‘Together We Grow’, is the brainchild of Dr. Rajeev Gautam, an illustrious alumnus of IIT Roorkee and President, HORIBA India and Senior Corporate Officer, HORIBA Ltd., Japan. It extends a one-time partial tuition fee waiver to deserving students, thereby recognizing academic excellence and easing financial constraints. The recipients belong to 12 different departments, exemplifying the academic diversity at IIT Roorkee.
 
The occasion also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIT Roorkee and HORIBA India to collaborate on a pioneering project titled “Sustainable Farming”. The MoU was exchanged by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee; Dr. Rajeev Gautam, President, HORIBA India and Senior Corporate Officer, HORIBA Ltd., Japan; and Prof. R.D. Garg, Dean of Resources and Alumni Affairs (DORA), IIT Roorkee.
 
The MoU signed between IIT Roorkee and HORIBA India marks a significant step forward in addressing environmental and agricultural challenges through scientific innovation. The joint initiative, titled “Sustainable Farming”, aims to develop and promote advanced technologies that enhance agricultural productivity while preserving natural ecosystems.
 
The project will focus on deploying cutting-edge analytical instrumentation and data-driven techniques to monitor soil health, optimize water usage, and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Leveraging IIT Roorkee’s expertise in agricultural engineering, environmental sciences, and data analytics, alongside HORIBA’s global leadership in analytical solutions, the collaboration is poised to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions for Indian farming communities.
As part of the MoU, both institutions will also work towards establishing a research and demonstration facility that will serve as a living lab for testing innovations in real-world farming conditions. The project will involve faculty, researchers, and students, promoting hands-on learning and translational research with direct societal impact.
 
“It’s a privilege to give back to my alma mater through initiatives that empower students and support sustainable innovation. With the Talent Hunt Scholarship and our new MoU on sustainable farming, we aim to nurture young minds, promote climate-resilient practices, and build science-driven solutions for the greater good of the agricultural sector and the environment. I also encourage students to approach HORIBA India or HORIBA Japan for any learning support or internship opportunities and if they find alignment with our vision, they are most welcome to continue being a part of the HORIBA family in the long run,” said Dr. Rajeev Gautam, President, HORIBA India.
 
“IIT Roorkee thanks Horiba for supporting our students. We also deeply value the continued contributions of our alumni Dr. Rajeev Gautam; whose efforts are helpful in shaping a better future for the next generation of innovators. This MoU reflects our shared vision for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, aligned with India’s national goals. It also reaffirms IIT Roorkee’s growing collaboration with global industry leaders to foster innovation that directly benefits society.” added Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee.
 
By bridging research excellence with industry application, the MoU underscores how global alumni partnerships can pave the way for future-ready, environmentally responsible innovations.
 
“Initiatives like the HORIBA Talent Hunt Scholarship not only provide vital financial support to students but also inspire them with the real-world impact of our alumni. The addition of the sustainable farming project strengthens our ecosystem of research, alumni engagement, and socially meaningful collaboration,” said Prof. R.D. Garg, Dean of Resources and Alumni Affairs, IIT Roorkee.
 
The ceremony was graced by Prof. Yogesh Vijay Hote, Chairperson, Senate Committee for Scholarship & Prizes (SCSP); Ms. Kanika Thakur (Lead – Corporate Communications and Marketing In-charge (Materials and Semiconductor) and Ms. Stuti Gulati (Senior Executive – Corporate Communications) from HORIBA India; staff from the DORA and SCSP offices, and Ms. Sonika Srivastava Media Cell In-charge, IIT Roorkee.
 
The collaboration between IIT Roorkee and HORIBA India stands as a model for alumni-led impact aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the transformative framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By integrating education, innovation, and sustainability, this partnership is poised to nurture socially conscious leaders and develop scalable solutions for a greener, more resilient future.