IIIT gets $250,000 grant for research

The International Institute of Information and Technology, Hyderabad, on Tuesday announced that it has received a grant of $250,000 from Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd for research in the area of information technology.

This grant will be used to set up a Microsoft Chair at the IIIT as part of the memorandum of understanding signed between Microsoft India and IIIT earlier.

Professor V Umapathi Reddy, chief technology officer, IIIT, has been selected for the chair and will undertake research in the area of wireless communications for a period of five years.

Welcoming the grant by Microsoft, Rajeev Sangal, Director, IIIT, said: "IIIT Hyderabad is a unique institution that links education to industry needs, and research to innovative products of the future. This grant will strengthen our relationship with Microsoft and help us go further in our endeavors."

Announcing the institution of the Microsoft Chair, Rajiv Kaul, Managing Director, Microsoft Corporation India, said: "We believe that information technology has a unique role to play in accelerating the rate of innovation and research. This grant to IIIT is in perfect sync with our belief and will contribute significantly towards boosting research initiatives in the country."

The MoU with IIIT is part of Microsoft's University Relations Program aimed at facilitating interaction and collaboration between Microsoft and educational institutes across the world.

Over the last two years through the University Relations Program, Microsoft has worked with 12 institutes in India.

Reddy will have access to Microsoft's latest products and technologies including its server and development tools.

Additionally, IIIT will provide the necessary support staff and infrastructure facilities.

The International Institute of Information Technology (formerly Indian Institute of Information Technology), Hyderabad is an autonomous, self-supporting institution started in 1998 with seed support from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

A major goal of IIIT is to impart a uniquely broad and interdisciplinary IT education of the highest academic quality.

Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation. It has had a presence in India since 1987 and it currently has offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune.