TCS, Singapore Management University to jointly set up `iCity' lab

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's leading IT solutions and consulting firm, and the Singapore Management University (SMU) have signed a collaboration agreement to set up `TCS-SMU iCity Lab' at the SMU campus.

TCS will invest S$6 million over the next three years to create the new research facility that will develop industry standards and IT frameworks for the emerging intelligent city (iCity) model of urban development, as per the collaboration agreement signed between the two organisations.

The investment will provide scholarship funds for SMU post-graduate students in Information Systems Technology & Management, and research funds for SMU faculty.

In addition to the direct investment in the iCity Lab at SMU, TCS is supporting the initiative under the TCS Co-Innovation Network (TCS COIN) initiative, with collaboration from its global network of innovation labs.

The iCity Lab is be located within SMU's School of Information Systems (SIS), and will draw on faculty from SIS as well as from the other parts of SMU, a TCS release said.

"TCS' investment in this joint initiative with SMU strengthens our commitment to Singapore, which we see as a hub of innovation in Asia", said Girija Pande, chairman TCS Asia Pacific. "Tomorrow's cities will be specifically designed and built with a sophisticated IT backbone to enable integrated urban management, improved quality of life for citizens, and inclusive economic, social and sustainable growth.