Bulletin

Issue: November/December 2006

News

Collaboration to boost ICT industries

La Trobe University’s internationally recognised innovative research expertise in computer science, electronic engineering, nano-technology, micro electronics and related disciplines has led to a collaboration with HCL Australia Services Pty Limited - a wholly-owned subsidiary of India’s leading IT services company, HCL Technologies Ltd.

Somnath Mallick, President of HCL
Asia Pacific, left, with Vice-Chancellor
Brian Stoddart, right, and La Trobe
Commercialisation Manager,
Dr Peter Janssen.

The move will boost opportunities for Australian industries involved in information and communication technology (ICT) and business systems (BS) through joint projects and specialist recruitment.

Announcing the agreement, La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Stoddart said: “The University and HCL will use their respective expertise to jointly bid for community and government ICT research and development projects.”

He added: “HCL will also offer internships to La Trobe students and recruit graduates for projects in Melbourne or other parts of the world. HCL and the University will conduct joint seminars and workshops for the community, and help to bring innovative, research-based solutions from the drawing boards and laboratories to Australia and the world.”

The collaboration combines HCL’s strength in processes and its organisational capabilities in managing large scale transformational programs, with La Trobe’s knowledge and research capabilities. La Trobe also has Australia’s largest, wholly- University-owned and managed technology parks.

The La Trobe R&D Park is also home to the University’s Centre for Technology Infusion which engages in applied research, product development, commercialisation, and industry development in the ICT sector.

Somnath Mallick, President of HCL Asia Pacific, said the collaboration reflects ‘HCL’s strategic intent to add value to the local economy’. It will leverage Australian innovation and talent, and, with HCL’s value-centric approach, offer business transformational benefits to Australian customers.

Mr Mallick added: “We’ve found a great partner in La Trobe University. They have built a reputation for the quality of their programs and research activities in ICT.”

“We look forward to a strong collaboration fully aligned to HCL’s strategic intent of building strong, sustainable global networks for knowledge transfer and collaborative, future oriented research to grow a stronger Australian ICT community.”

Under the agreement, HCL and La Trobe will provide opportunities for experts in each organisation to address interested parties in government and the community on ICT related issues.

A senior academic will be appointed to manage the new relationship. The University may also work with HCL to introduce specific subjects to meet ICT industry needs such as HCL’s personnel delivering guest lectures on subjects of core competencies and supporting student-industry exchange programs.

HCL Technologies is one of India’s leading global IT services companies. It has a network of offices in 16 countries servicing the financial, retail, life sciences, hi-tech and manufacturing, telecom, media and entertainment sectors. The agreement was initiated and supported by the State Government of Victoria.