Technopark, US firm join hands for research

In a partnership that is expected to result in far-reaching developments in India's research field, the software companies in Technopark and the US-based Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have formally joined hands for a Technology Collaboration Council.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked here between Technopark and ORNL in this regard. ORNL is a multi-programme science and technology laboratory managed for the US department of energy by UT-Battelle.

The Technology Collaboration Council will explore and implement in areas of potential collaboration between the companies who are part of the partnership.

The formation of the Technology Collaboration Council has been initiated by the Technopark-based IBS Software Services, a leading provider of IT services to the travel, transportation and logistics companies around the globe.

As per the collaboration, the Technopark companies and ORNL would identify areas of common interest for research and development. They would further explore opportunities to exchange personnel to work on technically challenging projects, and participate in lecturers and seminars, said officials of ORNL and IBS.

According to Jeffrey Wadsworth, director, ORNL, "the alliance will significantly enhance ORNL's own research and development capabilities as it enables access to both facilities and resources from Technopark". He added that the council would open new avenues to ORNL to conduct research and manage projects by adopting remote operations methodology practised at Technopark. High-end research in bio-energy, biology and human health would be the focus of the council's activities, he pointed out.

The Technology Collaboration Council was initiated in the presence of Radhakrishnan Nair, CEO, Technopark, T Balakrishnan, principal secretary (industries and commerce), Alphonse Kannanthanam, MLA, K R Jyothilal, special secretar, department of IT, Sunil Gupta, president, G-TECH, among others.

VK Mathews, chairman and managing director of IBS Group, said "research being an integral part of the plan that Technopark companies use to create solutions and provide services for their clients, there are potential areas of synergy between ORNL and Technopark. The purpose of the Technology Collaboration Council is to empower Technopark firms to harness the potential offered by ORNL."

ORNL focuses on basic and applied research and development to create technology solutions.

The launch of the Technopark-ORNL partnership was marked by an initiative towards charity, with the ORNL director offering $100,000 to the Divine Children's Home, Tiruvananthapuram, which takes care of the educational and healthcare needs of underprivileged children.