IBM, IIT-Mumbai tie up to develop tech talent

Mumbai: IBM and Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, have signed a MoU to develop technology capabilities of common interest through collaborative research.

IBM and IIT Mumbai will jointly develop technologies and capabilities in areas like autonomic computing, grid computing, deep computing, databases, web services, network management and security, among others. Under the umbrella of IBM's Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) programme, the objective of this MoU is to equip technical talent at the grassroots levels with a greater understanding of emerging technologies.

According to Harish Grama, vice president, IBM India Software Labs, "The IBM Centre for Advanced Studies programme plays a significant role in bringing together academia, government, and industry research organisations. Our MoU with IIT Mumbai is a step in this direction."

He felt the MoU would enable students, who need to continuously develop their skills to work on new and innovative technologies in an evolving world, to be a part of the technology ready workforce.

Highlights of the MoU

• Sponsorship of PhD / M Tech / MS students for their research work on themes of mutual collaborative interest
  
• Technology support that would enable students in their research projects
  
• Collaboration on research programmes with a chosen faculty

Prof Ashok Misra, director, IIT Mumbai, said, "We are very glad that IBM, under the Centre for Advanced Studies programme, is signing an MoU with IIT Mumbai to develop technologies and capabilities of common interest and engage in collaborative research initially in the areas of computer science and information technology. This MoU will enable a long-term partnership between IBM, an industry leader and IIT Mumbai, an academic institute of excellence. We look forward to coming closer through new initiatives of supporting students and recognizing our faculty capabilities."

Endorsing his view Prof Rangan Banerjee, associate dean (research and development), IIT Mumbai, said, "Research is the backbone for developing technologies for the future. Corporate participation from IBM will provide us with a platform to train and encourage research students and develop them into technically talented resources for the future."