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La Trobe University, BITS Pilani renew research partnership
The renewed partnership aims to expand Australia-India research, innovation and doctoral training to develop solutions for global and community challenges.
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Bhavana P - Wed, 01, Jul 2026
- 17:04 EDT
- 28
V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani and Theo Farrell, Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University / La Trobe University
La Trobe University and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani have renewed their research partnership through the Asian Smart Cities Research and Innovation Network (ASCRIN), expanding collaboration in research, innovation and doctoral training between Australia and India.
The renewed agreement builds on the ASCRIN Joint Ph.D. Program, an Australia-India research initiative that has received 143 research proposals and supported 40 collaborative projects spanning artificial intelligence, health technologies, sustainable infrastructure, food systems, energy, water and urban resilience.
Also read: IIT Bombay, SUNY Old Westbury ink partnership
The collaboration has involved researchers from nine BITS Pilani departments and seven La Trobe schools and research institutes, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to addressing shared challenges.
According to La Trobe, ASCRIN is the university's largest global research initiative and focuses on applied research designed to develop practical solutions through collaboration with Indian institutions, industry partners and government stakeholders.
Current research projects include developing data-driven dairy supply chains to improve food quality and productivity, advancing energy and water management systems, creating sustainable construction materials and smart infrastructure, designing battery-free wearable healthcare technologies, and improving public health diagnostics and therapeutics.
La Trobe vice-chancellor Theo Farrell said the partnership demonstrates the role universities can play in addressing global challenges through long-term international collaboration.
“Our partnership with BITS Pilani brings together world-class research capability and innovation. The success of the Joint PhD Program provides a strong foundation for an ambitious next phase of collaboration focused on research excellence, talent development and real-world impact,” Farrell said.
BITS Pilani vice-chancellor V. Ramgopal Rao said the partnership has enabled researchers and students from both institutions to work across disciplines while developing solutions to issues affecting communities, industry and governments.
“As we renew this partnership, we look forward to exploring opportunities to expand doctoral training, develop new educational pathways and pursue major collaborative initiatives in artificial intelligence and other emerging areas of strategic importance,” Rao said.
Under the renewed partnership, the universities will explore new doctoral pathways, potential joint master's programs and additional multidisciplinary research initiatives aligned with their shared priorities.
La Trobe University has maintained academic and research partnerships with India for more than three decades, while BITS Pilani is one of India's leading institutions for science, engineering, technology and innovation.
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