IITB-Monash Research Academy
Encyclopedia
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 study for a dual PhD
from both institutions, spending time in both Australia and India, with supervisors from both IITB and Monash. The establishment of the Academy marks the first time that an Australian university has set up an extensive physical presence in India.
. The Academy attracted early industry support, with a commitment from BHP Billiton
to joint research and commercialisation.
The Academy was officially opened on 26 November 2008. 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, with a further 22 joining in December 2009.
, infrastructure engineering, stem cells, advanced computational engineering
and nanotechnology
. 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 are Infosys
, BHP Billiton
, Shell
, the CSIRO and the Australian Stem Cell Centre
.
, Mumbai. A new four-level, purpose-built premises is being constructed, which will be ready by 2011.
(founder of Indian software giant Infosys
) and prominent Australian biologist Professor Gustav Nossal
. The current CEO is Professor Mohan Krishnamoorthy.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It opened in 2008 as a joint venture between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , popularly known as IIT Bombay or IITB, is a public research university located in Powai, Mumbai...
and Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
. Students of the Academy study for a dual PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from both institutions, spending time in both Australia and India, with supervisors from both IITB and Monash. The establishment of the Academy marks the first time that an Australian university has set up an extensive physical presence in India.
History
In 2006, 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 HowardJohn Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
. The Academy attracted early industry support, with a commitment from BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
to joint research and commercialisation.
The Academy was officially opened on 26 November 2008. 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, with a further 22 joining in December 2009.
Research
The Academy's research encompasses a range of issues of concern to industry and government in Australia and India. This includes clean energy, water, biotechnologyBiotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
, infrastructure engineering, stem cells, advanced computational engineering
Computational engineering
Computational science and engineering is a relatively new discipline of engineering. It is typically offered as a masters or doctorate program at several institutions...
and nanotechnology
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
. 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 are Infosys
Infosys
Infosys Limited, formerly Infosys Technologies Limited is a global technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is the second largest IT exporter in India with 133,560 employees as of March 2011. It has offices in 33 countries and development centers in India, China,...
, BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
, Shell
Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell plc , commonly known as Shell, is a global oil and gas company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is the fifth-largest company in the world according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine and one of the six...
, the CSIRO and the Australian Stem Cell Centre
Australian Stem Cell Centre
The Australian Stem Cell Centre - the National Biotechnology Centre of Excellence - is a research and development centre which focusses on regenerative medicine through the use of stem cells. It was founded in 2003, and has received over $100 million in funding in recent years. It is Australia's...
.
Location
The Academy is located at IITB's Campus in PowaiPowai
Powai is a suburb situated in the north-east of the city of Mumbai, India. The word Powai comes from Padmavati a Hindu Goddess , whose temple is situated on the banks of Lake Powai...
, Mumbai. A new four-level, purpose-built premises is being constructed, which will be ready by 2011.
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 MurthyNarayana Murthy
* N. R. Narayana Murthy is an Indian industrialist, software engineer and founder and Chairman Emeritus of Infosys Technologies Limited.* R. Narayana Murthy is an Indian film actor, director and producer of Telugu films....
(founder of Indian software giant Infosys
Infosys
Infosys Limited, formerly Infosys Technologies Limited is a global technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is the second largest IT exporter in India with 133,560 employees as of March 2011. It has offices in 33 countries and development centers in India, China,...
) and prominent Australian biologist Professor Gustav Nossal
Gustav Nossal
Sir Gustav Victor Joseph Nossal, AC, CBE, FRS, FAA is an Australian research biologist.-Life and career:Gustav Nossal's family was from Vienna, Austria. He was born four weeks prematurely in Bad Ischl while his mother was on holiday...
. The current CEO is Professor Mohan Krishnamoorthy.