Aug 20 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Tatas give IIT Bombay Rs.`95 cr for design centre
Manash.Gohain @timesgroup.com
|
New Delhi
|
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has received Rs 95 crore, the largest donation in its history, to set up a centre to develop hi-tech products and solutions for consumers and industry that lie at the bottom of the economic pyramid.On the lines of the Tata Center for Technology and Design at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, the Tata group has granted Rs 95 crore to IIT-Bombay for a period of five years to develop design and engineering principles suited to the needs of people and communities with limited resources. An MoU has been signed by both the parties, and the centre at IIT-Bombay , also called Tata Center for Technology and Design (TCTD), has started functioning from July .
On August 20 and 21, fellows from MIT and IIT-Bombay will come together for a brainstorming session under the aegis of the centre.
Speaking to the TOI, Prof Devang V Khakhar, director, IIT-Bombay , said the centre would focus on “frugal engineering“. “What we are going to do here is to come up with products which are high in technology but affordable. Students and faculties from all departments can participate as this is a virtual centre,“ he said. “The centre will support research work for postgraduate and PhD scholars, although there is no bar for undergraduate students,“ added Khakhar.
Tata fellows for the centre have been appointed. The centre plans to design items not only for consumers belonging to the low income group, but products like medical devices too. The institute has singed an MoU with MIT to work on some projects.
On August 20 and 21, fellows from MIT and IIT-Bombay will come together for a brainstorming session under the aegis of the centre.
Speaking to the TOI, Prof Devang V Khakhar, director, IIT-Bombay , said the centre would focus on “frugal engineering“. “What we are going to do here is to come up with products which are high in technology but affordable. Students and faculties from all departments can participate as this is a virtual centre,“ he said. “The centre will support research work for postgraduate and PhD scholars, although there is no bar for undergraduate students,“ added Khakhar.
Tata fellows for the centre have been appointed. The centre plans to design items not only for consumers belonging to the low income group, but products like medical devices too. The institute has singed an MoU with MIT to work on some projects.
