Telangana launches industry-integrated PhD programme with BITS Pilani and RMIT University
The initiative will enable working professionals to pursue globally supervised doctoral research aligned with industry needs, strengthening innovation, life sciences R&D and talent development.
Telangana Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce and Legislative Affairs D. Sridhar Babu with RMIT University Vice-Chancellor and President Prof. Alec Cameron, BITS Pilani Group Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Prof. Mohan Krishnamoorthy of BITS Pilani, Telangana Life Sciences CEO Sarvesh Singh and Telangana Government Advisor Sai Krishna at the launch of the Industry-Integrated PhD and Research Programme in Hyderabad.
HYDERABAD: Telangana Life Sciences, BITS Pilani and Australia’s RMIT University have jointly launched an industry-integrated PhD and research programme aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry while strengthening research-led innovation in the life sciences sector. The programme was launched in Hyderabad by Telangana Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce and Legislative Affairs D. Sridhar Babu.
The initiative brings together government, academia and industry to develop research talent capable of addressing real-world challenges in life sciences. The programme seeks to accelerate the translation of scientific research into practical applications while strengthening workforce capability and fostering innovation across India and Australia.
The launch was attended by RMIT University Vice-Chancellor and President Prof. Alec Cameron, BITS Pilani Group Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, BITS Pilani’s Prof. Mohan Krishnamoorthy, Telangana Life Sciences CEO Sarvesh Singh, Telangana Government Advisor Sai Krishna and senior leaders from global life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and Global Capability Centre (GCC) companies, including Sandoz, Align Technology, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), MSD, Sanofi, Novartis, Opella and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
As Telangana’s life sciences sector evolves towards research-driven innovation, the demand for industry-ready scientific talent is increasing rapidly. While Hyderabad has emerged as a major destination for life sciences manufacturing and global capability centres, the partners noted that a gap remains between academic research and industry requirements. The new programme is designed to bridge this gap by integrating academic excellence with real-world industry challenges.
Speaking at the launch, Minister D. Sridhar Babu said Hyderabad’s next phase of growth will be driven by research, intellectual property creation and breakthrough innovation. He said the programme would help build the research talent and innovation ecosystem required to position Hyderabad as a global hub for life sciences research and development.
Under the programme, professionals working in leading life sciences global capability centres will be able to pursue globally supervised doctoral research while continuing in their professional roles. Participating companies will sponsor employees and research scholars to undertake research aligned with business priorities, while BITS Pilani and RMIT University will provide academic supervision, global expertise and research mentorship.
The industry-integrated model is expected to generate commercially relevant research, encourage technology transfer and strengthen collaboration between researchers and industry. The initiative also supports the Telangana government’s vision of driving the next phase of growth in the state’s life sciences sector through research, innovation and intellectual property creation.
