Australia’s premier ICT research organization NICTA and global business consulting and technology services firm, Infosys, have signed a joint research collaboration agreement to tackle the hard technology problems facing businesses today.
Potential outcomes of the collaboration could see aging technology systems readily modernized for the cloud. Logistics departments could find faster, greener transport routes. ‘Agile’ techniques previously used for software development could be adapted to accelerate the definition and solution of business challenges.
“Innovation across borders is essential to accelerate the pace of world prosperity,” said N.R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Infosys, at an announcement ceremony at NICTA’s 8th Techfest technology showcase, held at Parliament House in Canberra. “Having watched NICTA grow from start-up to one of the world’s leading research organizations, I expect this to be a formidable partnership,” Murthy said.
The program is intended to include joint research, PhD student internship and professional exchange programs, as well as commercialization of relevant intellectual property over the next five years.
“This partnership is a great vote of confidence in NICTA’s research capabilities and ensures it will stay at the cutting edge of technology development in the years ahead. It also demonstrates Australia’s strength as a leading digital economy,” said Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
“NICTA is proud to work with a world-renowned business and technology services company like Infosys, and this is proof that NICTA has emerged as a powerhouse in ICT research, “ said NICTA CEO Dr Hugh Durrant-Whyte. “This collaboration will provide Infosys with access to NICTA’s world-class researchers, and provide NICTA with access to real world technology problems and a path to impact.”