The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and National Forensic Sciences University, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) virtually on Wednesday, December 9th for developing academic exchanges and cooperation in teaching and research in the areas of forensic anthropology and odontology activities.
The National Forensic Sciences University with the status of an Institution of National Importance is the world’s first and only University dedicated to rorensic, behavioral, cyber security, digital forensics and allied sciences. It was established by the Government of India through Act, 2020 (32 of 2020) with an objective of fulfilling the acute shortage against the increasing demand for forensic experts in the country and around the world.
Representatives of UNL included Josh Davis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs, Dr. Sophia Perdikaris, Director of SGIS and Happold Professor of Anthropology, and Dr. Bill Belcher, Assistant Professor of Anthropology in SGIS.
"This MoU creates unique research opportunities for research, student exchange, and faculty exchange for teaching in a variety of mutual areas of interest such as forensic anthropology, forensic archaeology, and forensic odontology. This creates unique opportunities for our advanced graduate students to conduct research and interact with Indian scholars that we wouldn't normally have without this MoU.
"One major outcome of this MoU in working in conjunction with a major Indian university is that our students and faculty will have the opportunity to assist the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's mission to recovery missing US service members from the northeastern area of India where over 300 cases from World War II are active in conjunction with the NFSU," said Dr. Belcher.
Watch the virtual signing ceremony.
