A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to establish a bridge for startups between India’s most industrialised state and Western Australia’s flourishing innovation ecosystem. The MoU was signed by iTNT Hub, which is India’s first emerging and deeptech innovation network, and the WA Data Science Innovation Hub based at Curtin University, which is a cluster for data science, artificial intelligence, and information technology innovation in Western Australia.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the first day of the Umagine conference in Nandambakkam, Tamil Nadu. The event was attended by the IT and Digital Services Minister of the state and the Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy from Western Australia.
Western Australia’s Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy stated that the goal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH) and iTNT is to establish a defined collaboration that is mutually beneficial for the development of shared objectives between the ecosystems of Tamil Nadu and Western Australia.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of iTNT Hub expressed his delight in receiving the support of senior ministers and heads of state from visiting delegations. The delegations were guided by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation in Western Australia and the Department of Information Technology and Digital Services in Tamil Nadu.
The iTNT Hub CEO noted that the agreement aims to establish the groundwork for a start-up and innovation bridge between Tamil Nadu and Western Australia. This will facilitate increased collaboration and exchange between the two innovation ecosystems.
The primary goal is to work with entrepreneurs, innovators, and an academic network of over 570 engineering colleges and industries to promote innovation on a large scale. The iTNT Hub’s teams are excited about the potential outcomes of this collaboration with the start-up minds in Western Australia.
The Director of the Curtin-based WA Data Science Innovation Hub stated that through the Memorandum of Understanding, exchange and collaboration opportunities will be provided to innovators, entrepreneurs, and the most talented students in both India and Western Australia.
He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute AU$ 22 trillion to the global economy in the next seven years. Therefore, it is crucial to collaborate with global leaders in data science, applied artificial intelligence, and information technology-based innovation.
He said that the state of Tamil Nadu produces more engineering graduates than any other state in the world. Therefore, the team is excited to collaborate with iTNT to take innovation to the next level.
According to the Program Manager of WA Data Science Innovation Hub, the collaboration between the two entities has the potential to create a significant impact on a global level. The Memorandum of Understanding will enable Western Australia’s flourishing startup community to collaborate with the bright minds from India’s most industrialised state, driving innovation across the Indian Ocean. Through cross-collaboration around innovation, novel solutions can be created to address some of the world’s most pressing issues.
The Government of Tamil Nadu is leading the establishment of India’s first emerging and deeptech innovation network, iTNT Hub. This initiative is supported by the Government of India and various industries to provide a platform for entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, and industry to collaborate and innovate.
The WA Data Science Innovation Hub is an initiative of the Western Australian Government and is supported by Curtin University. Its objective is to maintain Western Australia’s position at the forefront of the digital revolution by promoting the adoption, education, training, and awareness of data science in the state.
