Kanpur: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and La Trobe University, a leading university in Australia, have launched Research Academy in India. The IIT Kanpur – La Trobe University Research Academy will address significant global social, community, health and technological challenges.

The research Academy will also offer a joint PhD programs. The 40 PhD students who will be recruited into the academy over the next two years will undertake a joint PhD. They will be supervised by academic staff from both institutions and will receive a scholarship co-founded by IIT Kanpur and La Trobe.

Under the Joint PhD Programs, students will have the opportunity to work on a global smart cities problem, including projects in transport, urban planning, health, agriculture and food security, environment and heritage. They will have opportunity to work with an industry partner and all will spend one year of their degree based at a La Trobe campus in Victoria, Australia. Students completing the course will graduate from both institutions with a jointly awarded PhD.

IIT Bombay has been the first IIT in India to offer Joint PhD with collaborating Australia’s Monash University. This year, IIT Delhi signs agreement with University of Queensland, a leading university in Australia, to offer Joint PhD.  Hence, IIT Kanpur becomes third IITs to offer Joint PhD with collaborating any Foreign University.

The Research Academy will be based in Kanpur, with a strong presence at La Trobe’s Australian campuses for visiting Research Academy staff and up to 40 PhD students, who will be eligible to apply for generous scholarships.

Speaking at the launch in Mumbai, La Trobe Chancellor, The Honourable John Brumby AO, said the Research Academy will strengthen both institutions’ capacity to address global problems.

“We are delighted to be launching the IIT Kanpur – La Trobe University Research Academy, to address a diverse range of challenges in health, food and water security, urban planning and transport,” Mr Brumby said.

“The Research Academy will train the next generation of research and industry leaders.

“Through the Research Academy’s generous scholarship program, which includes support for tuition fees and travel, La Trobe looks forward to welcoming up to 40 PhD students to Australia to benefit from the strength of our relationship with IIT Kanpur,” Mr Brumby said.

IIT Kanpur Director, Professor Abhay Karandikar said the Research Academy will reflect the organisations’ shared commitment to research addressing global challenges and improving communities.

“We are very excited about the setting up of the IIT Kanpur-La Trobe University Research Academy as it will facilitate a close partnership between our two universities, strengthen our research ecosystem and eventually lead to on- ground translation of this work,” he said.

“We hope that this partnership will become a blueprint for more international research collaborations to spur study in critical fields,” Professor Karandikar said.

La Trobe is part of the 31 member delegation of Australian Education representatives to India led by Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham for the Australia-India Business Exchange 2020.