STL [BSE: 532374, NSE: STRTECH], a global data networks innovator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Madras, a premier academic and research institute, for sponsoring a Chair Professorship in 5G . Under this MoU, STL and IIT Madras will partner for research and advancements in 5G communications technology.
Data is the primary driver of growth in the industry today and the demand for it is all set to go up. 5G will address the demand by enabling ubiquitous connectivity. 5G technology are still evolving, while efficient and affordable standards need to be developed. The IIT Madras and STL industry – academia joint initiative will support development of such standards and technologies.
The Chair Occupant will be a full-time institute faculty and will be identified through institute’s comprehensive review and selection process. Announcement of the first occupant of the Chair Professorship will happen in the first quarter of 2020. The Chair Occupant will work towards accelerating the advancements in 5G by unifying IIT Madras’ research and domain knowledge with STL’s industry expertise in 5G and end-to-end network connectivity.
The MoU for Sterlite Technologies Chair Professorship was signed in the presence of Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, Prof. R. David Koilpillai, Head, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras and Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (International and Alumni Relations,) IIT Madras and Dr. Badri Gomatam, Group CTO and Ms. Anjali Byce, CHRO from STL.
Commenting on the partnership Dr. Badri Gomatam, Group CTO, STL, said, “STL, as a data networks innovator is always at the forefront of bringing end-to-end connectivity solutions and transforming lives with technology. We are entering the era of 5G connectivity and we need to make the most of it. Through this partnership, STL and IIT Madras are committed to realise the enormous potential of 5G for customers and industry in India and global markets”.
Speaking about the research that will be taken up under this Sterlite Technologies Chair Professorship, Prof. David Koilpillai, Head, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) for sponsoring this Chair, which will be instrumental in enabling the Department of Electrical Engineering to undertake cutting edge research in Communications technologies – both fundamental R&D and translational projects.”
The initiative will play a critical role in boosting innovation and developing young talent in the 5G domain. With industry and academia getting together, this collaboration can be a cornerstone in discovering unique opportunities and making industrial relevance more prominent in academic research.
About Sterlite Technologies Ltd – STL
STL is a global leader in end-to-end data network solutions. We design and deploy high-capacity converged fibre and wireless networks. With expertise ranging from optical fibre and cables, hyper-scale network design, and deployment and network software, we are the industry’s leading integrated solutions provider for global data networks. We partner with global telecom companies, cloud companies, citizen networks and large enterprises to design, build and manage such cloud-native software-defined networks.
STL has innovation at its core. With intense focus on end-to-end network solutions development, we conduct fundamental research in next-generation network applications at our Centres of Excellence. STL has a strong global presence with next-gen optical preform, fibre and cable manufacturing facilities in India, Italy, China and Brazil, along with two software-development centres across India and one datacentre design facility in the UK.
About IIT Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) was established in 1959 by the Government of India as an institute of national importance. The activities of the Institute in various fields of Technology and Science are carried out in 16 academic departments and several advanced interdisciplinary Research Academic Centres. The Institute offers undergraduate and post – graduate programmes leading to the B.Tech., M.Sc., M.B.A., M.Tech., M.S., and Ph.D., degrees in a variety of specialisations. IITM is a residential institute with more than 580 faculty and 9,500 students. Students from 18 countries are enrolled here. IITM fosters an active entrepreneurial culture with strong curricular support and through the IITM Incubation Cell.
IITM has been ranked No.1 in the Overall Institutions category in India Rankings 2019 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India. The Institute has also been ranked No.1 in the Engineering Institutions category in the same Rankings for four consecutive years – 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. It was also adjudged as the ‘Top innovative Institution’ in the country in the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2019 launched by Innovation Cell of MHRD.
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