The IITB-Monash Research Academy in Mumbai has reached an exciting milestone with its 300th PhD graduate. The landmark is a testament to the power of cross-border research and the growing strength of its doctoral cohort.
As India’s oldest and largest joint PhD program, the IITB-Monash Research Academy currently has 175 active doctoral students working on major global challenges across artificial intelligence and advanced computational modeling, clean energy, health sciences, smart materials, sustainable societies and management, circular economy, infrastructure engineering, and design.
The milestone underscores the Academy’s role in equipping the next generation of Indian researchers to deliver innovation across key industries, sectors and communities.
MS Unnikrishnan, CEO of the IITB-Monash Research Academy, highlighted the value for students, and the role the Academy plays in supporting India’s future workforce development.
“The IITB-Monash Research Academy has helped 300 brilliant students turn tough technical challenges into real-world solutions,” he said. “This joint PhD program aligns with India’s goals to build a highly skilled workforce. By linking our research expertise with local business hubs like the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), we ensure all of our graduates help build India’s industries and technology for the future.”
The University has pursued purposeful bilateral engagement with India for several years, including but not limited to the Academy. Monash holds more than 470 research partnerships with Indian institutions, numerous transnational education pathways, and engages in significant industry partnerships on strategic research areas.
The University has also enabled more than 1250 Australian Monash students to travel to India since 2022 through travel grants and runs local language programs in Hindi and Punjabi in Melbourne to support the Indian community.
Monash also maintains an alumni network of more than 2600 graduates in India alone, and a global alumni talent pool of 530,000+ graduates.