IITB-Monash Research Academy to address ‘grand challenges’

Mumbai, January. Re-produced with permission from expressindia. Quote for Image: The initial focus of the academy will be on energy, water, biotechnology and stem cell research, infrastructure, advanced computational engineering and nanotechnology. Bio-engineered blood to overcome shortage of bloody supplies across the world, clean coal energy and low-cost fuel efficient cars – the IITB-Monash Research Academy will attempt to address such “grand challenges”. Representatives of the advisory council which has its first meeting on Thursday said that the academy is planing to initiate at least three to five projects on the next three months. Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor N Murthy who chaired the meeting via tele-conferencing suggested that the academy can initially focus on areas like clean energy and power. “It’s a unique experiment which has bought together for the first time in India two leading research institutes that will engage in theme-based, inter-disciplinary and goal-orientated research. We will take uyp grand challenges which will make a huge impact. For instance vaccine for malaria,” said IIT Bombay Director Askok Misra.

Prof Tam Sridhar - Dean of Engineering

The initial focus of the academy will be on energy, water, biotechnology and stem cell research, infrastructure, advanced computational engineering and nanotechnology.

A major focus will be strengthening of academia-industry partnerships and undertaking projects of commercial value in collaboration with industry.

Significantly, the themes selected will together address the future research and development challenges of several industry sectors like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, IT and financial markets among others.

Saying that the joint venture will provide an interactive environment to the brightest students in areas relevant to the industry and environment, Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Richard Larkins said that “30 to 35 companies in both countries (Australia and India) have agreed to work with us.”

Besides funding from the Australian Government, the Australian mining company DuPont has agreed to contribute a sizeable sum. Emphasising that the industry is looking for research work which is technology and not product focused. Pawan Goenka, President (Automotive) of Mahindra and Mahindra said, “We are looking at technologies that may for instance be used in car designs to reduce harmful emissions or technologies for lighter but stronger cars.

Student and staff exchange is an integral component to the success of the Research Academy. Currently IIT-B has 1300 students enrolled for its PhD programs while Monash has around 3500.