MOU with Indian Institute of Science

Deakin University has signed a memorandum of understanding with The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) that will see student researchers from the Institute undertaking higher degrees by research through the Australian university.

Although they will be largely based at the Institute’s laboratories in India under the day-to-day supervision of Institute staff, Deakin researchers will provide principal supervision and the researchers will spend up to six months at Deakin campuses in Australia under the direct supervision of Deakin supervisors.

The broad areas identified for undertaking the joint research programs are Materials, Automotive, Product Design, Information and Computer Technology, Microbiology and Cell Biology.

Deakin’s Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation (CMFI) is a research-intensive unit within the university’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and is the largest multi-disciplinary research group working on a range of materials.

The core expertise of Deakin Researchers lies in metals and light metals, fibres and fibrous materials, composites and polymers, bio and nano materials.

“We were delighted to receive the highest rating band last year for our materials research in the Excellence in Research for Australia ratings,” Deakin Vice Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said.

“This rating attests to our materials research being well above world standard,” she said.

“Research into light-weighting of materials in incredibly important as the world strives for a low carbon future,” she said.

Established in 1909, The Indian Institute of Science has grown to become India’s premier centre for research and postgraduate education in science and engineering.

It offers a variety of Master's degree programs in Engineering, an integrated Ph.D (post-B.Sc.) program in Sciences and Ph.D. programs in a wide spectrum of disciplines in science and engineering.

The Institute has recently launched a four-year undergraduate program leading to a B.S. degree, with an opportunity for students to obtain a broad foundation in science, including an exposure to research.

The collaboration between Deakin and IISc is part of the Deakin India Research Initiative (DIRI) which aims to develop research models that bridge the gap between academia and industry.

The Deakin India Research Initiative was commended earlier this year by Australia’s Tertiary Education Standards and Quality Agency following an audit of Deakin’s operations completed last year.

The new research partnership will commence this month.