IIT Madras, Deakin University to Launch Australia-India Centre for Energy (AICE)

Denmark & IIT-M partnership

India and Australia are knitting their interests quite strongly when it comes to the development in the field of renewable energy. In a key development, Australia’s Deakin University has announced that it has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras for the launch of an Australia-India Centre for Energy (AICE). The AICE virtual centre was established by a consortium of Australian and Indian universities, research institutions and energy businesses.

The key purpose of AICE is to step up the collaboration in transdisciplinary research, education, training, capacity building, knowledge and technology transfer. AICE was launched at IIT Madras Energy Summit 2022.

As per reports, the bilateral virtual centre will work towards achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 that aims at ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The related SDGs will also be supported that are related with academics, industries, and government agencies to engage in science, technology, economics, policy, and governance.

Professor Bas Baskaran, Associate Dean, International and Partnerships, Deakin University, said about AICE, “The centre will bring together multi-disciplinary capabilities from Australian and Indian partners to work on translational research and build capabilities to address the global energy challenge. It will also be a catalyst to develop partnerships with other centres in South Asia and ASEAN regions to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for global challenges.”

Deakin University and IIT Madras are expected to coordinate and foster engagement between their partners and with external stakeholders, grow collaborations between government departments, fund agencies and individual researchers in India and Australia. According to reports, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (ATIC) will act as a catalyst to build partnerships between AICE and industry as far as energy sector from the two countries are concerned.

Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Marti Mannariah Gurunath Institute Chair Professor and Dean (Global Engagement), IIT Madras, mentioned, “IIT Madras is delighted to be one of the founding institutes in this extremely important decarbonisation initiative being jointly pursued by Australia and India.”

Sarah Kirlew, Australian Consul-General for South India, stated on the launch of AICE, “Australia and India are comprehensive strategic partners, with close cooperation across areas of strategic importance, including critical minerals, clean technology, education, and innovation. Our two countries are home to world-leading innovators and researchers.”

AICE will develop joint educational programs, online courses and joint degree programs. It will also delve in capacity building through certification programs, diploma and extension centres & training.