Accelerating AI research in India

UTS and the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata, India consolidate our strong collaborative relationship with the official launch of the ISI–UTS joint research cluster (JRC).

This will focus on  artificial intelligence (AI), character and video recognition, document analysis, and biometrics, building on the world-leading expertise of both organisations. 

The JRC will enable accelerated collaboration to grow the scale and impact of research, and address real-world problems at an international level. PhD students from Australia and India will work together in lab space in India made available by ISI, said Professor Umapada Pal, Head of the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Unit, ISI,

Having collaborated with UTS for a number of years, we are excited for the possibilities ahead and to be in a position to extend research excellence in the Bengal region and make advances in artificial intelligence.

With India becoming more globally competitive in research, the ISI is considered one of the world's foremost centres for training and research in computer science, statistics, quantitative economics and related sciences.

Associate Dean Professor Michael Blumenstein said UTS and the Faculty of Engineering and IT work collaboratively with universities and other institutes of higher education world-wide to facilitate the global exchange of ideas through research collaboration.

I am thrilled to see this launch, both as a culmination of many years of strong research collaboration, and as a unique and refreshing model of partnership that leverages the strengths of our respective institutions.

Consul-General to Kolkata, Andrew Ford, officially launched the ISI-UTS JRC saying how pleased he is this collaboration will have real world application to provide research and policy solutions, including for governments and companies.

The Australian Government’s decision to open a post in Kolkata this year was part of our strategy to promote the relationship between the two countries. The collaboration is very much in line with the Australia government’s priorities for our relationship with India.

UTS partnerships in India

This JRC further extends UTS’ deep networks in India, which include key technology partnerships (KTP) supported by strong academic links.

A KTP with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) recently saw 10 visiting fellows travelling to UTS to deepen networks between the two institutions, with particularly strong engagement in FEIT. This partnership is driving plans for further joint research collaboration between UTS and IITM in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, IoT and blockchain – leading research strengths in FEIT.

The Faculty is also working with the Vellore Institute of Technology to grow its distinctive and deeply collaborative partnership model, which extends across teaching and research and supports joint excellence in areas of shared and complementary research strengths.