Jodhpur, Oct. 26 -- The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur and ideaForge Technology Limited, India's leading unmanned aerial systems company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on cutting-edge research and development in the areas of defence, environment, and emerging technologies. An IIT official familiar with the development said on Friday that the partnership aims to accelerate indigenous innovation in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and emerging high-technology applications. He added that under the agreement, IIT Jodhpur and ideaForge will jointly explore opportunities for the development of UAV engines, materials, and manufacturing technologies. He said that joint research and product development will be carried out in advanced areas such as fifth-generation telecommunications integration, geo-mapping, object indexing, and enhancing the capabilities of UAVs. He further said that in addition to research collaboration, IIT Jodhpur students will receive practical training in UAV technology, providing them with industry experience and enabling them to apply their academic knowledge. This initiative will help nurture a new generation of engineers in the aerospace and robotics fields. Speaking on the occasion, Vipul Joshi, Chief Financial Officer of ideaForge Technology Limited, said, "The intersection of academic research and industrial innovation is the cornerstone of technological progress. By bringing together the research capabilities of IIT Jodhpur and the engineering expertise of ideaForge, we aim to develop solutions that support national priorities." Professor Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Director of IIT Jodhpur, said, "This partnership between the country's leading academic institution and an indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle company will be a major milestone in developing indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles for defence and civilian use and will help empower India on the global stage." The agreement is valid for a period of three years....