On November 26, IIT Bombay (India) and Monash University (Australia) jointly announced the formal launch of the IITB-Monash University Research Academy, a first-of-its-kind premier multidisciplinary research academy. It is to be set up in a modern facility on the IIT Bombay campus.  As part of this launching event, two symposia were held on November 27 and 28, on the following areas:

 -Computational Modeling: Structures, Materials and Fluid Mechanics
 -Biotechnology and Stem Cell Research

(L-R) Prof Richard Larkins (AO), Vice-Chancellor and President, Monash University; Dr Ramesh Mashelkar, Former Director-General, CSIR; and Prof Juzer M. Vasi, Acting Director, IIT Bombay.

The Academy will aim at developing high-quality research capability in various scientific fields. The research will be theme-based and goal-directed, and would involve partnership with government and industry.  The initial focus of the academy is broadly based around six diverse research themes: Energy, Water, Biotechnology and Stem Cell Research, Infrastructure, Advanced Computational Engineering, and Nanotechnology.  These themes will address the future R&D challenges of several industry sectors such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, infrastructure, biotechnology, life sciences, IT, financial markets, etc.

The Academy will be a not-for-profit, autonomous institution with an independent Governing Board and Advisory Council, comprising of representatives from industry and the academia. Funding commitments for research have been received from industry.  Industry can look forward to carrying out its long-term research through the Academy using its high-end, modern research infrastructure. 

Doctoral students participating in the research programs will spend part of their candidature at Monash University and part at IIT Bombay, and will be supported by attractive scholarships. They will be awarded a joint accredited PhD degree from both IIT Bombay and Monash University. Industrial houses from India, Australia and from elsewhere can also develop the R&D capabilities of its personnel through the Academy.