IIT Madras Launches 15 Centers of Excellence to Foster Cutting-Edge Research & Innovation!
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IIT Madras, one of India’s premier educational institutions, has recently launched 15 Centers of Excellence (CoE) under the Institute of Eminence (IoE) program. This initiative aims to empower higher educational institutions in the country to become world-class centers for teaching and research.
The inauguration ceremony for these CoEs took place on May 24, and they are expected to engage in cutting-edge research to develop next-generation technologies with a global impact. The IoE Scheme, introduced by the Indian government, provides financial support to enable IIT Madras faculty members to pursue ambitious research goals, undertake innovative projects, and attract top talent for groundbreaking research.
The selection process for these CoEs was rigorous, with IIT Madras identifying 68 research initiatives across various technology clusters in the first phase. From these, 15 CoEs, along with 23 research centers and 10 research projects, were shortlisted in the second phase. Involving more than 400 faculty members, these research initiatives span a wide range of disciplines and promote interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in key areas.
During the launch event, Professor V. Kamakoti, the Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the significant investment in research and development through the IoE funding. The selected CoEs are expected to achieve world-class status, bringing eminence to the institute. These centres are mostly interdisciplinary, bringing together academics from several disciplines to collaborate on specialized technology.
The CoEs cover various areas of study, including quantum diamond and emergent materials, electronics, aerospace engineering, among others. The outcomes of their research are envisioned to lead to state-of-the-art ideas, extensive commercialization, product development, and technologies. The institute aims to foster collaborations with the industry and expects several start-ups to emerge from these CoEs, further enhancing their impact.
The CoEs are dedicated hubs of excellence and aim to reach the top five globally in terms of research and innovation. They are also intended to attract top talent and promote interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers. The IoE funding will strengthen collaborations with industry partners, leading to technology transfer and commercialization of research outcomes. This strategic focus on partnerships with corporations, start-ups, and industry leaders will contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies and solutions, addressing real-world challenges and driving economic growth.
Professor Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Institute Professor and Former Director of IIT Madras, emphasized the need for breakthroughs in research and audacious goals in emerging areas. He expressed confidence in the creation of several world-class CoEs within the next five years, with some already being considered among the top ten globally by external reviewers.
The IoE financing has improved IIT Madras’ stature and reputation internationally in addition to having a direct impact on research output. It has positioned the institute as a leading institution for transformative research and innovation, attracting collaborations with renowned researchers and institutions worldwide. These collaborations have expanded the institute’s knowledge base, enhanced research capabilities, and created new opportunities for faculty and students.
In addition to supporting research, the IoE funding has facilitated the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure, research facilities, and technology platforms. These investments have empowered IIT Madras researchers with access to cutting-edge equipment and facilities, enabling them to conduct experiments and analyses at the forefront of knowledge exploration.
Key Centers of Excellence includeCritical Transitions in Complex Systems, NDE 5.0 – Industrial Assets and Process Management, Centre of Excellence on Molecular Materials and Functions, Technologies for Low-Carbon and Lean Construction, Healthcare and Assistive Technologies, Maritime Experiments to Maritime Experience, Sports Science and Analytics, Centre for Soft Matter, Centre of Excellence in RF, Analog, and Mixed Signal ICs, Atomistic Modelling and Materials Design, Geophysical Flows Lab, Centre for Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, Quantum Center for Diamond and Emergent Materials, andEnergy Consortium.
Final Thoughts:
The launch of the 15 Centers of Excellence at IIT Madras marks a significant milestone in its pursuit of research excellence and innovation. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge research, and industry partnerships, these centers are poised to make a global impact. IIT Madras aims to leverage the IoE funding and its world-class faculty to drive transformative research, foster collaborations, and create an environment that nurtures overall growth and development.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1927020
