Director, CSIR-IICT - Message

I am profoundly happy to report on the success of the joint research and academic collaboration between CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India, and RMIT, Australia. The program has so far enrolled 33 research scholars, amongst whom 25 have already been awarded PhDs. The scholars have published more than 100 research papers in high-impact international journals of repute, 50 articles at conferences, with 1 Patent granted. I am indeed proud to note that the collaboration has seen students receive 17 prestigious awards including – the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Award; Telangana Young Scientist; and the CSIR Award for Innovations in Science and Technology for Rural Development (CAIRD) from India. This is in addition to the Professor Martin Bennet Research Excellence Award; the Perkin-Elmer Prize; and the Megan Clark Excellence Award from Australia. The collaboration has seen exchange visits by faculty from both institutes for joint conferences as well as Research and Development activities, which have further strengthened the relationship between our two great nations. I take this opportunity to thank Prof. Suresh Bhargava, Dean, Research and Innovation, RMIT, for his astute leadership in the implementation of this successful program. I reiterate my continued support to this joint program and hope to see many more talented and hardworking students benefitting from this endeavour. I congratulate the supervisors and students from IICT and RMIT and wish them many more laurels. Their collaborative partnership is making a significant contribution to science and technology – for the growth of industry and the welfare of society – an impact which makes both countries incredibly proud.

Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar

Director, CSIR – IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology)