Smart Internet Signs Infosys for Investment in Australian R&D
Sydney - 11 November 2004 - Smart Internet Technology Cooperative Research Centre (Smart Internet), today announced an agreement with Infosys Technologies Limited, a global consulting and IT services company, for joint efforts in research and development. The collaboration between Infosys and Australia is unique, with the former investing up to AUD$800,000 in Australian research and development over the next four years. The association provides significant assistance to Smart Internet for the development, commercialisation and export of Australian IP. For Infosys this collaboration provides an opportunity to explore new ways of generating market-driving intellectual property and further augment its competitive positioning.
The collaboration is expected to provide commercial benefits to the Commonwealth Government and State Governments in the form of new employment and revenue opportunities. An exchange of knowledge and skills will also benefit Australian researchers who will have the unique opportunity to work with Infosys on collaborative R&D projects.
At a reception at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce in New Delhi recently, NSW Premier Bob Carr, witnessed the signing of the variation agreement between Neville Roach, Chairman of Smart Internet CRC and Narayana NR Murthy, Chairman of the Board and Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies.
In his address to the Federation, Premier of New South Wales, Bob Carr commented, “We've just witnessed the signing of an agreement sealing the first major investment by an Indian IT company in an Australian research organisation, Smart Internet Technology CRC. This agreement reflects the type of cooperation between the Indian software industry and Australian high-end research where the greatest opportunities for mutual benefit lie - and it's exactly the sort of development that brings us here to India.”
With the large economies in India, China and South East Asia, it is Smart Internet’s objective to build global relationships in order to penetrate the international market. Smart Internet’s partnership with Infosys will result in opportunities for growth, by leveraging Infosys’ global network and knowledge base. Funding provided by Infosys will also assist Smart Internet support Australian PhD students and train young researchers for roles within Smart Internet’s partner organisations.
Neville Roach, Chairman Smart Internet said "I am delighted that Infosys, one of India's and the world's most successful and respected software services companies, has agreed to collaborate with Smart Internet CRC, the first significant commitment by an Indian IT company to joint R&D with an Australian research organisation. The agreement reflects mutual respect and recognition of the complementary strengths of both organisations and is a great example of the substantial bilateral benefits that will flow from greater cooperation between the ICT industries of India and Australia."
Darrell Williamson, CEO of Smart Internet added “There are significant synergies between our research strengths and activities, and as a leading IT innovator and research organisation, Infosys will provide key skills and insights to support Smart Internet's research and commercial objectives.”
Gary Ebeyan, CEO of Infosys Australia commented, “Together Infosys and Smart Internet will create a collaborative environment to exploit market potentials. Infosys and Smart Internet have a great deal to offer each other and with India’s growing position as an economic giant in the global community, the two companies have a great opportunity to work together. This investment is another excellent example of Infosys commitment to the development of the local ICT industry”
The initial focus areas of this collaborative effort will be banking, commerce, health and entertainment industry segments. Smart Internet will work directly with the Software Engineering and Technology Labs (SETLabs) of Infosys in Bangalore, for research in mobility, pervasive computing, agent technologies, security and digital rights management.
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