The IITB-Monash Research Academy is a graduate research school located in Mumbai, India. It opened in 2008 as a joint venture between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Monash University. Students of the Academy astudy for a dual PhD from both institutions, spending time in both Australia and India, with supervisors from both IITB and Monash.[1] The establishment of the academy marked the first time that an Australian university has set up an extensive physical presence in India.[2][3]

History

In 2006, vice-chancellor of Monash Richard Larkins went on a tour of India with senior Monash staff and an executive from BHP. The tour was led by Monash Dean of Engineering Tam Sridhar, an Indian-Australian professor. The team met with research institutions, public officials and industry research bodies around the country.[4]

After extensive negotiations, Monash University and IITB signed an agreement to undertake joint research and establish a graduate research school together. The agreement was signed on 7 March 2006 in the presence of then Australian Prime Minister John Howard.[2] The academy attracted early industry support, with a commitment from BHP and Infosys to joint research and commercialisation.

The academy was officially opened on 26 November 2008.[5] 36 research projects began immediately, with several hundred further projects in the planning phase.

By June 2009, 41 PhD students were enrolled at the academy.[6] By 2012, that number had risen to 80.[7] It is expected that the Academy will eventually house around 250-300 PhD students at any one time.[8]

Research

The academy's research encompasses a range of issues of concern to industry and government in Australia and India.[1] This includes clean energy, water, biotechnology, infrastructure engineering, stem cells, advanced computational engineering and nanotechnology.[9] The academy has five foundation partners, each of whom will contribute around $1–2 million in research sponsorship in the early years of the academy. The foundation partners were Infosys, BHP, Shell, the CSIRO and the Australian Stem Cell Centre.[10][11]

Location

The academy is located at IITB's campus in Powai, Mumbai.[6]

Governance

The IITB-Monash Research Academy is governed by a board of directors, advisory council (a consultative body), and chief executive officer. The board consists primarily of senior management figures from Monash and IITB. The advisory council is made up of leaders from scientific research and industry, including Narayana Murthy (founder of Indian software company Infosys) and Australian biologist Gustav Nossal.[1] Mohan Krishnamoorthy was the CEO of the Academy from 2008-2015. Professor Murali Sastry was the CEO from 2015-2020. The current CEO[as of?] is M. S. Unnikrishnan.

References

  1. ^ a b c "IITB-Monash Research Academy". Iitbmonash.org. Archived from the original on 10 March 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Monash-India sign landmark agreement - (Monash Memo, 8 March 2006)". Monash.edu.au. 8 March 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  3. ^ Andersen, Brigid (1 September 2009). "India to open door to Australian universities". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  4. ^ Graeme Davison & Kate Murphy, University Unlimited: The Monash Story, Allen & Unwin, p 318
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2009.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ a b "In brief, Monash Magazine, Issue 24 October 2009". Monash.edu.au. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  7. ^ "Scientific solutions for grand challenges".
  8. ^ "About Us | IITB-Monash Research Academy".
  9. ^ "Mathrubhumi Education". Education.mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  10. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2009.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ "Michelin, IIT Bombay join hands for sustainable mobility research". Retrieved 25 July 2022.

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