iit: What you need to know about IIT Madras' newly launched Centres of Excellence

Chennai’s Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has recently launched 15 Centres of Excellence (CoE) as part of the University Grants Commission‘s (UGC) Institute of Eminence (IoE) scheme.

The CoE’s are expected to undertake cutting-edge research to develop next-generation technologies and create significant impact.

What are Institutes of Eminence?
Part of a scheme launched by the Indian government, IoEs were designed with the idea of empowering higher educational institutions to become world-class teaching and research institutions.

IIT-M was chosen for the programme in 2019. Since then, the Chennai based institute has established several research initiatives in diverse fields. Grants under the scheme are expected to aid IIT Madras faculty members to pursue ambitious research goals and undertake cutting-edge projects.

In the first phase of the project, the institute identified 68 research initiatives across 21 technology clusters, which were later reviewed and cut down to 15 Centres of Excellence within the IIT Madras system. The second phase involves 23 research centres and 10 research projects. These research initiatives encompass a broad spectrum of disciplines and involve over 400 faculty members.

These CoEs are dedicated to specific areas of study and are expected to reach the top five in the world in terms of research and innovation. They are intended to serve as hubs of excellence, attracting top talent and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

According to the TOI, IoE funding has also facilitated the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure, research facilities, and technology platforms, which are instrumental in driving scientific advancements. The funds allocated through the IoE Initiatives at IIT Madras have been primarily utilized for purchasing capital equipment and supporting research-related expenses.The 15 Centres of Excellence that have been inaugurated: