India's first public-private aerospace research consortium formed

Boeing, IISc, Wipro and HCL enters into an agreement


Boeing has entered into an agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and two leading Indian information technology companies to develop wireless and other network technologies for aerospace-related applications.

The agreement, signed by representatives from Boeing, IISc's Society for Innovation and Development, Wipro Technologies and HCL Technologies, forms the Aerospace Network Research Consortium (ANRC).

Led by Boeing, the ANRC is India's first public-private aerospace research consortium.

"We have a great need for advanced affordable aerospace network R&D," said Naveed Hussain, Engineering and Technology vice president for Boeing in India. "It is part of Boeing's strategy to leverage top research capabilities anywhere in the world and we look forward to working with our Indian partners to benefit from their tremendous capabilities and talents in this area."

"We are pleased to be part of this consortium," said Professor Veni Madhavan, chief executive of IISc's Society for Innovation and Development. "This collaborative approach will help permit research at IISc to be utilized for appropriate and interesting applications in the aerospace industry."

Initially established as a four-year collaborative effort, the agreement can be extended based on mutual interests. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Researchers from Boeing Phantom Works, the company's advanced R&D unit, and Commercial Airplanes will represent Boeing.

ICRISAT signs MOU with Crop and Food Research of New Zealand

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Crops (ICRISAT) and Crop and Food Research, a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently, in Lincoln, New Zealand, which would mutually benefit India and New Zealand in crop science research.

The MOU, which was signed earlier by ICRISAT Director General William Dar and was carried to New Zealand by the joint ICRISAT-Government of Andhra Pradesh delegation, was countersigned by Crop and Food Research CEO Mark Ward.

According to Dr William Dar, the collaboration will strengthen the partnership between ICRISAT and New Zealand's national research institutes and will leverage mutual strengths in agriculture and food science research.

Both organizations will work together to develop the proposed Bio Food Knowledge Center (BFKC) at the Agri-Science Park within ICRISAT. Early discussions have identified many opportunities to leverage New Zealand's world-class agri science for the benefit of progressing ICRISAT's mission and goals and significantly accelerate the commissioning of the BFKC.

The signing of the MOU is one of the key outcomes from a joint ICRISAT and Government of Andhra Pradesh delegation currently visiting New Zealand. The delegation also met with two prominent Cabinet Ministers, Honorable Pete Hodgson, Minister of Research, Science and Technology, Economic Development and Tertiary Education; and Hon Jim Anderton, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Biosecurity.

ICRISAT will continue to explore collaboration with other Crown Research Institutes in New Zealand, namely AgResearch and HortResearch.