In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Girijananda Chowdhury University (GCU), Assam, India and Mari State University (MARSU), Yoshkar-Ola, Russia, a scientific exchange visit was successfully conducted from 27th to 30th October 2025. The visiting delegation from GCU comprised Dr. Damiki Laloo and Dr. Bhrigu Kumar Das, representing the Research and Development Cell, GCU, India.The visit was aimed at strengthening international academic partnerships and exploring research and development (R&D) collaborations between the two universities.
The program began with an introductory exchange presentation session where both universities showcased their institutional profiles, academic strengths, and existing departments. The discussion focused on identifying areas of mutual interest, particularly in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical research, engineering, food technology, agriculture, and humanities and social sciences. This session laid the groundwork for establishing future collaborations in research, student and faculty exchange programs, summer internships, and joint academic initiatives.
Following the presentations, the delegates from GCU undertook laboratory and departmental visitsacross MARSU. They interacted with faculty members and students to gain firsthand insights into the ongoing scientific work, infrastructure, and advanced research facilities available at the university. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to understand the scope of interdisciplinary research and technological integration at MARSU, particularly in the areas of medical and pharmaceutical sciences, natural sciences as well as other disciplines.
The second day featured a mini-seminar and exchange sessionbetween theSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, GCU and the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, MARSU. Faculties from both institutions presented their current R&D focus areas, emphasizing natural product research, pharmacology, and drug discovery in diabetes and cancer. The session facilitated meaningful academic dialogue, fostering ideas for collaborative projects, joint publications, and future research funding opportunities.
On the final day, both GCU delegates, Dr. Laloo and Dr. Das delivered popular scientific lecture talks to the medical students of MARSU, covering contemporary topics in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology and drug development. The lectures were followed by interactive sessions, where students engaged in discussions on the role of traditional medicine, natural compounds, and modern pharmacological research in advancing healthcare.
The visit concluded successfully, with both universities reaffirming their commitment to nurturing a long-term partnership through collaborative research, academic exchange, and capacity-building programs. The exchange visit marked a significant milestone in fostering Indo-Russian academic cooperation and strengthening global scientific networks in higher education.
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