Plans for new IITB-Monash Research Academy released

Architects have unveiled the first glimpse of plans for a Rs 40 crore (A$10 million) collaboration between Monash University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB).

The two institutions have joined forces to create the IITB-Monash Research Academy, which will train a new era of researchers focused on solving some of the major issues confronting society and industry in both nations.

The purpose-built academy will be located on IITB’s Mumbai campus and is expected to be ready for occupation early in 2011.

Acting CEO Professor Mohan Krishnamoorthy said the academy was a unique venture where some of India’s best and brightest young minds would undertake joint PhD research in both India and Australia.

“The new building will be equipped with sophisticated communication technology and video-conferencing facilities and will consist of nine laboratories, offices, and workstations for 350 researchers,” Professor Krishnamoorthy said.

While planning and construction gets underway, teaching and research has already begun with the academy recently welcoming its second batch of PhD students, bringing the total number of researchers to 36.

There is strong demand for entry to the academy with an astounding 1500 applications received in the June 2009 intake. It is hoped the academy will support 350 research projects by 2015.

The academy, which was opened in November 2008, builds on the combined strengths of Monash and IITB with the aim of creating a community of academics and students engaged in finding solutions for complex problems in government, industry and the research community around the world.

Research projects centre around six major themes: computational science and engineering, infrastructure engineering, biotechnology and stem-cell research, clean energy, water and nanotechnology.

These themes address future research and development challenges of industry sectors including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, infrastructure, biotechnology, life sciences, IT and financial markets.

Students have a supervisor in both institutions, study in both Australia and India and receive a dual PhD from Monash and IITB.

For more information visit the Monash-IITB Research Academy website.