The University of Melbourne has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) Limited at the India Global Education Summit organised by the Government of Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Honourable Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The agreement reflects a shared intent to strengthen collaboration between Australia and India in research, innovation and skills development.
As part of the LOI, the University of Melbourne will set up a dedicated centre at the Tamil Nadu Knowledge City in Tiruvallur, near Chennai. The centre will serve as a platform to drive joint research and innovation activities in sectors of strategic importance, combining Tamil Nadu’s industrial strengths with the University of Melbourne’s global expertise in research and education. This collaboration will cover basic, applied and translational research, along with industry-linked curriculum development, skill and capability training, and structured engagement with priority sectors.
Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) at the University of Melbourne, said the LOI supports the University’s objective of building strong, long-term relationships in India. He said the partnership with TIDCO will create a shared space where researchers, industry leaders and students from both countries can work together on common global challenges. He added that the agreement reinforces the University’s focus on meaningful bilateral cooperation through education and research, supported by its ongoing partnerships in India and the presence of the Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi. He said the collaboration will help generate knowledge that supports innovation and creates positive impact in both nations.
Sandeep Nanduri, Managing Director of TIDCO Limited, said the LOI is an important development in strengthening Tamil Nadu’s global innovation ecosystem. He said the partnership is expected to create collaborative pathways that advance research, build talent and deliver solutions with lasting relevance for both regions.
The University of Melbourne’s centre at Tamil Nadu Knowledge City is planned as a long-term initiative aimed at linking academic capability with industry needs, enabling cross-border innovation and supporting the next generation of researchers, technologists and entrepreneurs.
