The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru to create the JATP–Centre of Excellence (JATP – CoE) to expand the scope and objectives of the existing Joint Advanced Technology Programme.
According to a press release, the centre, which will be developed on IISc, Bengaluru premises, will enable directed basic and applied research and engage with premier research institutes through multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration. The focused research efforts at the centre is expected to foster the development and implementation of indigenous technologies in critical areas to develop state-of-the-art technologies.
As per the MoU, DRDO will support JATP by equipping it with advanced and unique research facilities that will enable faculty to conduct advanced research. DRDO will facilitate advanced research to utilise technology outcomes in future applications. DRDO scientists and engineers will work with the academic research faculty and scholars in addressing challenging scientific problems to find an innovative solution in advanced areas of research. These areas include advanced aerospace systems and materials, high-temperature materials, micro and nanosystems technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, and quantum technologies. JATP-CoE may also involve other premier institutions in the country, based on their research strengths.
Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO, and Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director IISc signed the MoU at a virtual event held in DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. Dr Reddy explained that JATP was created for DRDO scientists to actively collaborated with the faculty of IISc to work on various missile technologies. He further emphasised expanding research activities for defence and security by incorporating the future technology requirements of other DRDO technology clusters and associated laboratories.
Earlier this month, DRDO announced two online courses on artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) and cybersecurity. As OpenGov Asia reported, one of the courses is a short-term programme on AI and ML. The other is a certification course on cybersecurity. They are organised by the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), a deemed university and an autonomous organisation funded by the Defence PSU.
Both of these programmes are 12-weeks long and will consist of two-hour sessions five days a week. For the course on AL and ML, selected candidates will be trained on probability theory, pattern recognition, big data analytics, computer vision, natural language processing, augmented reality, deep learning, and other fundamental and advanced AI/ML topics.
Interested candidates will have to take an entrance test which will be conducted on 20 February. The eligibility criteria for those appearing in the exam is that they should hold a graduate degree in any stream. They will be tested on their programming knowledge, the basics of algorithms, databases, data structure, statistics, probability, and modular mathematics.
The cybersecurity course will deal with the fundamentals as well as advanced topics such as forensic and incident response, system programming, reverse engineering and malware analysis, basic and advanced vulnerability analysis, exploit mitigation, and penetration testing. Students will also be trained on the tools and techniques required for cybersecurity professionals through the 12-week course.
