Deakin University, Australia, and IIT Madras in new research partnership

Chennai: Deakin University, Australia, broadened and strengthened its research links with India through a new partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM).

Ten students undertaking higher degrees by research will collaborate on materials, engineering and manufacturing projects under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Deakin Vice-Chancellor Jane den Hollander and Professor Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras in Chennai.

Professor den Hollander said Deakin and IIT Madras had established a framework in 2010 to foster understanding and cooperation in areas of shared interest and expertise.

 “I am delighted to be here in Chennai to help celebrate the progress we have made and announce the next steps in our strong and beneficial partnership,” Professor den Hollander said.

 “Deakin is honoured to be working side-by-side IIT Madras, which is one of India’s premier research and teaching institutes and renowned for its outstanding research in metallurgy and manufacturing.

“Today’s announcement will not only provide opportunities for talented postgraduate students, it will also enable Deakin and IIT to collaborate in research of international significance,” Hollander added.

IIT Madras Director Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi said “The Deakin University in Australia is our valued partner. IIT Madras looks forward to very productive collaboration between the faculties with a vibrant student exchange programme at all levels, particularly the research scholars.”

Dean of International & Alumni Relations at IIT Madras, Prof R. Nagarajan said the institute is pleased to be joining the venture.  “IIT-Madras has embarked on a systematic program of research collaboration with leading Universities around the world.  We envision a four-stage process, starting with faculty interactions, leading to research scholar exchanges and joint supervision of PhDs, culminating over time in joint doctorate programs.”

Prof R Nagarajan added, “We are happy that with Deakin University, we have reached the stage of Joint Supervision of PhDs and look forward to developing the relationship further.”

Under the MoU signed by Deakin and IIT Madras:

--- Five students from each institution will be enrolled in the joint PhD supervision program;

--- All ten students will be largely based at IIT Madras;

--- The Deakin-enrolled students eligible for a three-year fee waiver, the opportunity to study in Australia for three to six months and financial assistance with international conference presentations;

 --- The IITM-enrolled students will receive scholarships and benefits to be determined by the institution.

 Professor Peter Hodgson – an ARC Laureate Fellow and Director of Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) –said the new partnership agreement was a key part of Deakin's genuine commitment to building stronger relationships in India.

“In 1996, Deakin became the first Australian university to establish an office in India,” Professor Hodgson said. “Today, Indian students make up 11pc of our international student population, including IITM Masters students, who come to Deakin each year for six months to complete their projects in materials and metallurgy. There is strong synergy between the research, being undertaken at IITM and Deakin University, particularly in the metals-related areas.Chennai is a major automotive manufacturing city and we are hoping to have collaborative projects with key industry partners and IITM.During my last trip here, we had an extremely productive roundtable discussion involving Deakin, IITM and the local manufacturing industry, where there was broad support for a research initiative that would support innovation in manufacturing. I look forward to advancing those discussions and continuing to work closely with IIT Madras to identify collaborative activities and projects.”