University of Oulu and Amity University develop joint double degree education in hydrogen between Finland and India
The University of Oulu and Amity University in India, are preparing a Dual Degree doctoral training programme in hydrogen technology and a Double Degree Master’s programme in physics, with a preliminary specialisation in hydrogen energy and green transition.
The collaboration between University of Oulu and University of Amity is supported by H2FIND – Hydrogen Education for Finland–India Collaboration, a TFK project funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education for 2025–2027. The project supports the development of joint education between the two universities through co-supervision, mobility and shared expertise in hydrogen, green transition, and related technologies.
Building global expertise for the hydrogen economy
Climate change, energy security and the rapid development of the hydrogen sector in Finland, the wider European Union and India are increasing the need for specialists in the field. Industry projections point to millions of specialist roles needed within this decade alone. At the same time, specialised physics-based hydrogen education is still limited globally.
The planned collaboration responds to this need by combining technical and research skills with a broader understanding of the societal context of hydrogen technologies. The shared goal is to educate future research leaders in clean energy with strong intercultural competence and an understanding of the global and regional dynamics of the hydrogen economy.
“India collaboration is increasingly important to Finland, and the interests in hydrogen and the green transition in the energy sector are very well aligned. Promoting an increased number of higher education opportunities is a strategy for both countries. The joint initiatives aim to answer the increasing role of higher education in the energy sector,” says Professor Marko Huttula, leader of hydrogen research at the University of Oulu.
“For India, this is inseparable from energy security. We import the vast majority of our fossil fuels, and green hydrogen is a credible path to changing that. This collaboration gives our students a genuine dual-ecosystem experience — Finnish precision in hydrogen infrastructure and depth, combined with the scale and diversity of Indian energy challenges”, says Dr. Harishchandra Singh, Ramanujan Fellow from Amity University.
Doctoral training agreement signed
A Framework Agreement for the Dual Degree doctoral training programme has been signed, setting out the general guidelines for the programme.
For each doctoral candidate, an Individual Co-supervision Agreement will define the doctoral research topic, the contributions of both institutions, supervision arrangements, the training and mobility schedule, and the funding plan. The programme is planned to include equal number of supervisors from the University of Oulu and Amity University. Research visits to the partner institution are planned to last between six and 24 months in total.
At the University of Oulu, scientific expertise will be provided by research units in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Technology. These include the Nano and Molecular Systems Research Unit, Sustainable Chemistry, Process Metallurgy, Materials and Mechanical Engineering, and Environmental and Chemical Engineering.
“The initiative establishes a strong foundation for international doctoral mobility and collaborative research in hydrogen technologies, Space Sciences, Engineering Sciences, and other emerging interdisciplinary areas”, says Prof. Sunita Rattan, Director Applied Chemistry at Amity University.
Master’s programme in planning
The Double Degree Master’s programme is currently in the planning phase. The preliminary model is a Master of Science in Physics with specialisation in Hydrogen Energy and Green Transition. Students would complete the first year at Amity University and the second year at the University of Oulu, with student selection initially taking place at Amity.
According to the preliminary timeline, the first students would start at Amity University in autumn 2027. Specialisation selection and admission to the University of Oulu would take place in spring 2028, and the first students would move to Oulu in autumn 2028.
Shared strategic focus on hydrogen research both in India and Finland
The collaboration builds on existing research links and collaboration, similar expertise profiles and shared strategic priorities. Amity University’s Hydrogen Mission is aligned with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, while the University of Oulu’s H2FUTURE research programme focuses on hydrogen as a climate change solution and is funded by the Research Council of Finland.
H2FUTURE brings together research on sustainable hydrogen production and use, including solar hydrogen, carbon-emission-free hydrogen technologies, the use of hydrogen in metal production and ultra-high-strength steel solutions. The collaboration with Amity University strengthens the international dimension of this work by connecting education, mobility and research expertise.