Qualcomm sets up chair at IIT-M

Qualcomm Inc, developers of wireless technologies, has announced the establishment of a 'Qualcomm Chair' at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

It has offered a grant for the chair with a view to leveraging the local talent pool for research and development in wireless technology solutions for emerging markets.

According to a company statement, this would be the first academic donation by Qualcomm in India. The grant will fund a Qualcomm Chair in the electrical engineering department.

The funding is expected to bring reputed experts in wireless technology from all over the world to IIT-M and provide engineering students at the institute an opportunity to learn and contribute to wireless innovations.

Kanwalinder Singh, president Qualcomm India and Saarc, said India was one of the fastest growing wireless markets worldwide. Through its existing design centres in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and now with the Qualcomm Chair at the IIT-M, the company was increasing its research and development presence in India.

He also added that Qualcomm did not have an in-house manufacturing facility for its chips, and that its investments in India were in the form of research and development, education and training. "We will continue to be involved in initiatives that lead to innovation in the wireless industry," he added.

The Qualcomm Chair has been established for period of five years initially and could be extended later.