IIT Madras, Curtin University Ink Joint Doctoral Program Pact

For a joint doctoral program, Indian Institute of Technology Madras signed an agreement with the Curtin University in Perth.

Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi, director, IIT Madras, and Brett Kirk, associate deputy vice chancellor research in presence of pro-vice chancellor of faculty of science and engineering and a number of senior faculty members of Curtin University signed the agreement on the IIT Madras campus.

In a press release, R. Nagarajan, professor and dean of international and alumni relations at IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras has embarked on a systematic program of research collaboration with leading Universities around the world. We envision a four-stage process, starting with faculty interactions, leading to research scholar exchanges and joint supervision of PhDs, culminating over time in joint doctorate programs”.

He added that several faculty members at both institutions, in different disciplines in particular chemical and petroleum engineering and civil, have expressed interest in participating in the program.

Syed Islam, professor and dean international for the faculty of science and engineering said “Curtin University accepts with great enthusiasm the joint doctoral degree program development with IIT Madras”.

Curtin University already has a MoU and a student exchange agreement with IIT Madras in ocean engineering. In 2015, Curtin University will be sending a group of engineering students for a semester funded by the New Colombo Plan.

“The JDP agreement is aligned with Curtin’s vision for growth in international higher degree research students, joint publication with international authors, and mechanisms for strong interaction between IIT Madras and Curtin academic scholars and professors,” he said.