Thales to fund research fellowships at IISc

French aerospace major Thales on Friday signed an agreement with the premier Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to fund followships for its research students.

"The fellowships for doctorate research students at the IISc will strengthen Indo-French scientific cooperation through laboratories in both countries and boost industrial research with academic institutions," Thales said in a statement here.

In the first year, the company will fund four fellowships of students who will have a research guide (supervisor) from India and a co-supervisor in France.

"We will also explore a joint degree option between IISc and French institutions in the near future," said Thales India director Antoine Caput.

The fellowship will also contribute to the government's Skill India mission and focus on enhancing research and development (R&D) in the country.

Areas of interest to Thales such as advanced electronics and electromagnetics or complex system engineering in which expertise exists at IISc will be considered. The research will be done in advanced electronics and electro-magentics or complex system engineering, which are areas of interest to Thales.

"As Thales carries out cutting edge research, I hope this programme acts as a catalyst for a long-term beneficial collaboration with our institute," said IISc deputy director Jayant Modak.

The euro 16-billion Thales is also a technology leader in transport, defence and security markets. With 61,000 employees, including 20,000 engineers and researchers in 56 countries the world over, the company designs and makes equipment, systems and services for security requirements.