RMIT University and Telangana govt enter into strategic partnership to strengthen life sciences education & research

New Delhi: The Government of Telangana and RMIT University, Melbourne, have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate in the fields of education, research, and innovation in life sciences.

The LoI was signed in the presence of the Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications, and Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana, between Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of RMIT University, and Shakthi Nagappan, CEO of Telangana Life Sciences Foundation, along with senior government officials and academic leaders.

RMIT University, one of Australia’s leading global institutions with over 90,000 students across its campuses, is renowned for its strong emphasis on industry-integrated education and applied research. Ranked 75th globally for International Outlook by Times Higher Education, RMIT is recognized for its global research collaborations and robust industry linkages. Its School of Science leads advanced research in biotechnology, biosciences, and molecular biology, supported by cutting-edge facilities for translational and applied research.

The university recently launched a joint initiative with BITS Hyderabad — the BITS-RMIT Higher Education Academy — aimed at promoting advanced research, academic exchange, and innovation-driven education between Australia and India. Through this partnership, research scholars from Telangana will gain the opportunity to pursue joint PhD programs, spending part of their academic journey at BITS Hyderabad and RMIT Melbourne. The collaboration will also enable student and faculty exchanges, promote joint research projects, and create an industry-aligned curriculum aimed at strengthening India’s R&D ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister D. Sridhar Babu said, “This partnership with RMIT reflects Telangana’s long-term vision of investing in people and ideas. As we work towards establishing the Telangana School of Life Sciences, such collaborations will help us nurture a highly skilled, research-oriented workforce that can drive innovation and shape India’s biotechnology future.”

Professor Itsiopoulos, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, RMIT University, said, “RMIT is excited to partner with Telangana in shaping the next generation of researchers and innovators through impactful, industry-relevant education and collaborative research.”

Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, Telangana Life Sciences Foundation, added, “This strategic alliance is the blueprint for tomorrow’s Genome Valley. By coupling RMIT’s world-class academic engine with Hyderabad’s unparalleled biotech infrastructure, we are not just educating talent; we are future-proofing our local R&D capability and directly contributing to India’s status as a global pharmaceutical innovation powerhouse

The meeting concluded with the formal signing of the LoI, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Telangana’s pursuit of excellence in life sciences. This partnership with RMIT University embodies the state’s vision to cultivate world-class talent, foster innovation, and position Hyderabad at the forefront of global biotechnology education and research.