University of Melbourne and Tata Consultancy Services signs MoU to boost innovation ties

Image of TCS CTO K Ananth Krishnan and University of Melbourne Provost Margaret Sheil shaking hands.
TCS Chief Technology Officer K. Ananth Krishnan and University of Melbourne Provost Margaret Sheil after signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

The University of Melbourne has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian based IT services leader, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to pursue technology research collaboration.

The partnership will enable the university and TCS to work together in common interest areas, including core technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and data sciences as well as domain specific business challenges in the energy and utility sectors.

The MoU will also extend the university’s links to leading academic and corporate technology research worldwide.

Under the agreement, the University will host visiting TCS researchers and TCS’ technology labs worldwide will also be open to scholars from Melbourne.

TCS’ Academic Co-Innovation Network (TCS COINTM), links the world's top universities, such as MIT, UC Berkeley, Singapore Management University and the Indian Institutes of Technology, with businesses, developers, venture capitalists and start-ups to share research and collaborate on leading edge technologies.

The partnership also strengthens the University’s and Victoria’s ties with India. The University of Melbourne is home to the Australia-India Institute, the nation’s only centre for the study of contemporary India and the Australia-India relationship.

University of Melbourne Provost Margaret Sheil said the MoU has the potential to take promising new technologies to the marketplace.

“This agreement opens up far-reaching possibilities for the exchange of expertise and the discovery of next generation technologies with global relevance,” Professor Sheil said.

“It combines the talents of both organisations: the University’s globally recognised leadership in research innovation, scholarship and education and TCS’ capability and commitment to advancing solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.”

K. Ananth Krishnan, Chief Technology Officer, TCS said: “TCS is pleased to partner and strengthen its ties with the University of Melbourne. World leading innovation doesn’t occur in isolation. It involves collaboration with partners and a willingness to learn from one another to enhance free and open exchange of ideas. That is the inspiration behind the TCS Co-Innovation Network. (COIN ™)”

Victoria’s Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis said the Andrews Labour Government welcomes this agreement.

“It is further recognition of Victoria’s research capabilities and technological expertise, and gives Victoria access to new ideas and potential partnerships in technology and science," Mr Dalidakis said.

“On top of that, it deepens our relationship with India – one of our closest neighbours and one of the fastest growing economies in the world.”