IIT Madras and Deakin University Unveils Research Academy to Offer PhD

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Deakin University, Australia have officially launched the “IIT Madras Deakin University Research Academy” under their groundbreaking collaboration. This joint initiative was announced during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet in Chennai. The academy aims to foster top-notch scholars from SAARC and ASEAN countries through collaborative global research projects, joint supervision, and merit-based scholarships.

The launch event was attended by notable figures including Hon Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to India, and Catherine Callagher, Head of Austrade (South Asia), underscoring the significance of this collaboration. These dignitaries from both nations' academia, industry, and government expressed their support for the academy, recognizing its potential to drive global innovation and research excellence.

"With the launch of the IITM Deakin University Research Academy, we shall further strengthen the synergy already achieved between our institutions by continuously exceeding excellence through collaborative research in areas of strategic importance. The academy will help leverage Deakin's strengths of working with industry for optimum research and development in critical areas of smart and sustainable technologies," said Prof. Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor, of Deakin University, while speaking at the launch event.

The ‘IIT Madras Deakin University Research Academy’ is supposed to address pressing global challenges in areas such as clean energy, critical technologies, sustainability, climate change, and healthcare technologies. The academy envisions contributing significantly towards the socio-economic goals of both nations on a global scale by nurturing innovative solutions through research.

The research academy offers a four-year joint PhD program. It includes high-value scholarships, joint supervision by faculty from both institutions and access to world-class research facilities. The program also aims to provide exceptional international doctoral training opportunities, with 30 scholarships allocated in 2024 to scholars from both institutions.

This collaboration between Deakin University and IIT Madras marks a transformative step towards global research excellence. The partnership has evolved into a full-fledged research exchange from its roots in faculty and student exchanges in 2012, showcasing the potential of international collaboration to shape a better-shared future.