UK/Indian collaborative research centre launched

The UK telecoms company BT is to lead a consortium of 22 industry and academic partners in the India–UK Advanced Technology Centre (IU–ATC), which will support collaborative research and technology transfer between the UK and India.

The consortium has raised over $3 million to establish a virtual graduate research school, which will enable PhD students and postdocs to collaborate and work together between the two countries. There will also be a programme of exchange visits.

“With the creation of the IU–ATC, Indian PhD students can now collaborate in a global, virtual platform, to share innovative research concepts among an elite grouping of UK and Indian academic institutions,” said Ashok Jhunjhunwala of the India Institute of Technology. “The global connectivity of this virtual consortium will ensure the rapid transfer of ideas and technology with the aim of creating breakthrough next-generation network and ICT research.”

The IU–ATC will research into current and next generation fixed and wireless communications, with outputs expected to include new services and applications and the filing of patents, plus the commercial exploitation of research through licensing and spinning out start-up companies.

Matt Bross, Group Chief Technology Officer at BT, said, “The IU–ATC will accelerate competitive technology and knowledge transfer between the UK and India, as well as ensuring stronger collaborations between industry and academic institutions in both countries.”

In the UK IU–ATC’s academic lead is Gerard Parr of the University of Ulster, who said the centre will establish the infrastructure and sponsorship opportunities to support collaboration between Britain and India’s academic institutions, government and industry in general. “The long-term success of this kind of large scale initiative is dependent upon the support received from industry, and we have had excellent engagement and support from BT, Indian organisations and the British and Indian governments.”

PhD students involved in the IU–ATC will spend time at both UK and Indian universities and do industrial placements with the centres industry partners.