DRDO Industry Academia Center of Excellence is launched by IIT Jodhpur & DRDO , the goal of this new initiative is to transform interdisciplinary research and develop the next generation of innovators in defence technology by amplifying collaborations among academia, industry & DRDO research.
The focus will be on merging expert and resource to address high end challenges in defence technology.
On October 6,2022 Memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to establish DIA-CoE at IIT Jodhpur ,which highlights joint effort to promote directed basic and applied research in identified verticals by dominating developing futuristic technologies and procedure to meet the needs of the defence sector.
In 1st phase of collaborations, IIT Jodhpur & DRDO will focus on a diverse range of innovations, enclose projects such as Multi Agent Amphibious Quadcopter system, Bioinspired Flapping wing model, AIOT Based water monitoring technologies, smart apparel for desert warfare and more.
Research in identified verticals , including Desert Warfare Technologies, Futuristic Omni Mobility Systems, and Artificial Intelligence for Information and Wargaming Technologies will be undertaken by the Centre of Excellence, it will lead to science and technology initiatives as identified by DRDO.
The future project in pipeline will search in critical areas such as Cold Plasma-based technologies, Hydrogen-based power generation systems, and Energy Harvesting for defence applications, among others.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat , Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and chairman while addressing said our goal is to utilise DIA-CoE as a means for building an ecosystem comprising DRDO labs, academia, and industry. He also state that it is our wish that in the years to come, these Centers of Excellence will be like the hubs in the United States where MIT Caltech, Stanford played a big role in making the US a superpower in technology."
IIT Jodhpur director Prof Santanu Chaudhury stated that "Centres like these should really grow into hubs of R&D, addressing the defence capability needs of our country. Research is profoundly fundamental to have new technologies invented. However, it must not end with invention alone; the entire journey towards innovation, product development, and implementation is equally essential. This holistic approach is exceptionally critical, underscoring the unique role of this centre."