Hyderabad: Telangana Life Sciences, BITS Pilani and RMIT University of Australia on Tuesday launched an Industry-Integrated PhD and research programme to connect doctoral research with real-world needs in the life sciences sector.The programme will enable professionals from life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and global capability centres to pursue doctoral research while continuing in their jobs. Companies will sponsor employees and scholars to work on research aligned with business priorities, while BITS Pilani and RMIT provide supervision, mentorship and global expertise.Speaking at the rollout of the programme, Telangana IT & industries minister D Sridhar Babu said the initiative would help Hyderabad move beyond software and medicines manufacturing towards product design, intellectual property creation and breakthrough innovation. He said stronger research intensity was needed for India to compete globally.Telangana Life Sciences CEO Sarvesh Singh said the initiative would build future-ready talent and turn research into practical outcomes for industry-led growth in Telangana’s expanding ecosystem.RMIT vice-chancellor Alec Cameron said international collaboration was essential to address complex health and life sciences challenges. BITS Pilani group vice-chancellor V Ramgopal Rao called the partnership a new model for industry-engaged doctoral education.Senior leaders from Sandoz, Align Technology, BMS, MSD, Sanofi, Novartis, Opella and Thermo Fisher attended the launch.
