Centre of Excellence in Data Science and AI launched by Thapar Institute in collaboration with University of Queensland
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ April 29,2025
In a major step forward for international academic collaboration and technological innovation, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET) has partnered with The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, officially launch the TIET-UQ Centre of Excellence in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This collaborative Centre aims to position Punjab as a critical hub for cutting-edge research and innovation in AI and data science, and is now live at https://dsai.thapar.edu.
Established with the vision of “Transforming industries and lives in India and Australia via innovation-led data science and AI,” the Centre is designed to foster high-impact, human-centric AI applications with real-world value. It will focus on developing responsible and scalable AI technologies that address challenges across healthcare, agriculture, energy, cybersecurity, and sustainable infrastructure.
The Centre was inaugurated at the TIET campus in Patiala by Rajiv Ranjan Vederah, Chairman of the Board of Governors, in the presence of senior academic leadership including Prof. Padmakumar Nair, Director, Prof. Ajay Batish, Deputy Director, and Dr. Gurbinder Singh, Registrar.
“This Centre represents a visionary collaboration between two institutions deeply committed to leveraging technology for societal advancement,” said Rajiv Ranjan Vederah. “By strengthening academic-industry linkages, we are not only fostering innovation but also creating future-ready talent that will drive India’s digital transformation.”
The Centre will be led by Prof. Inderveer Chana, a senior faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at TIET, who brings deep expertise in AI and systems engineering. The initiative will include interdisciplinary teams from both TIET and UQ, and will actively engage with industry partners, government agencies, and startups to ensure solutions are commercially viable and socially impactful.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Tim Miller, UQ-TIET Chair in Data Science, emphasized the transformative power of international partnerships. “The most pressing problems we face—climate change, healthcare inequality, food security—are not constrained by borders. Through this Centre, we are building a global innovation ecosystem that harnesses the potential of AI to tackle these issues ethically and at scale.”
In addition to research, the Centre will serve as a platform for talent development through fellowships, student exchanges, workshops, and joint degree programs. Students and early-career researchers will benefit from access to international mentors, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and hands-on opportunities to work on real-world AI challenges.
Prof. Padmakumar Nair, Director of TIET, shared his enthusiasm: “This collaboration is a game-changer for research in India. It allows our students to be a part of global knowledge creation while staying rooted in solving India-specific challenges. We are proud to partner with a world-class institution like the University of Queensland.”
The TIET-UQ Centre of Excellence in Data Science and AI stands as a beacon of cross-border academic synergy and technological excellence, with a mission to redefine how data science and AI can drive sustainable, inclusive progress in India, Australia, and beyond.
About Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology
Established in 1956, TIET is one of India’s premier institutions, offering a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines. The institute is renowned for its academic excellence, research contributions, and strong industry linkages.
For more information about programs, please visit www.thapar.edu
