Strengthening India’s Atmanirbhar resolve, premiere tech institute IIT Madras has taken over a research centre and converted it into a Centre of Excellence (CoE).
Operated jointly by IIT-Madras and Defence Research and Development Organization, the CoE, called ‘DRDO Industry Academia- Ramanujan Centre of Excellence’ (DIA-RCoE) is catering to the defence and security needs of the country.
The Research Centre, which was founded by the DRDO, is an interdisciplinary research group that brings together faculty and researchers from various departments to conduct translational research.
READ MORE: India ready to launch its first Atmanirbhar human space flight Gaganyaan by 2024
The DIA-RCoE has been established to carry out targeted research in cutting-edge technologies for defence and security and to establish a premier research facility for the development of cutting-edge technologies.
Both DRDO and IIT Madras are working together on Advanced Defence Technologies including Combat Vehicle Technologies.
Director of IIT Madras Prof. V. Kamakoti highlighted the importance of DIA-RCoE and the opportunities it will provide for the industry.
READ MORE: ISRO Lines Up Mega Science Missions For 2023 – Details Here
“It is an important milestone in bringing together the Academia, Industry and DRDO to collaborate and develop Atmanirbhar technologies for critical needs of our country.
Specifically, this will provide a first-of-its-kind opportunity for Startups and MSMEs to participate in this critical Nation Building activity,” said Prof. V. Kamakoti.
Dr. O.R. Nandagopan, who has been appointed as the Director of the DIA-RCoE, elaborated on the outcomes expected from the Research Centre. He said, “DRDO is attaching high priority for the development of futuristic technologies and systems for defence through academia and industry.
This centre will identify the strength of faculty members and industry partners and develop cutting-edge technologies and systems for our armed forces”.
READ MORE: ISRO Launches 177 Foreign Satellites In Last Five Years, Earns Over Rs 1,100 Crore In Forex
Speaking about the objectives of CoE, Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras said that the institution will develop core competencies to support the future programs of DRDO.
He asserted that DIA-RCoE will emerge as a centre of excellence by conducting directed research in advanced technologies for defence and security.
The CoE, which was established in accordance with the “Long Term Directed Research Policy” of the Defence Ministry, will carry out multidisciplinary directed basic and applied research in five research verticals.
READ MORE: Roscosmos is going to supply 10 rocket engines to India
The research verticals include Electronics and Computational Systems, Naval Systems and Naval Technologies, Advanced Combat Vehicle Technologies, High Power CW Laser sources, and Next-generation communication and networking technologies.
The DIA-RCoE will promote focused basic and applied research by leveraging the expertise of IIT Madras professors and researchers and collaborating with other educational institutions and technology hubs across the country.
Scientists from the DRDO will work with academic faculty and researchers to facilitate the progress of scientific investigations and the development of cutting-edge technologies.
