Source: Economic times epaper
May Hire 2,000 Scientists, Engineers To Work In The Facility By 2009
TECHNOLOGY giant
General Electric (GE) is looking at Hyderabad for setting up its fifth research and development (R&D) centre, after New York, Shanghai, Munich and Bangalore.
According to a top state government official,
the company is scouting for 25 acres of land and may hire 2,000 scientists and engineers to work in the facility by 2009.
The state government has suggested that GE could consider setting up the facility within the University of Hyderabad campus, considering that it wants to pursue high-end work in technology areas.
“The University of Hyderabad (UoH) will fit the bill as it has been declared as a ‘university with potential for excellence’ by the University Grants Commission,” said an official.
Top officials of GE (R&D) have already met with senior state government officials in Hyderabad. Analysts reckon that if GE decides to set up its R&D centre here, the synergies between UoH and GE could lead to a technology partnership that will give world-class opportunities for the university research scholars.
Early this year, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories along with the Andhra Pradesh state government and the University of Hyderabad (UoH) had set up a new institute on the campus to undertake industry-relevant research in life sciences. The Rs 50-crore project is expected to be completed by next year.
Besides, the university had also received funding of $250,000 from US-based aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney for setting up an endowment chair for science.
Dr Seyed E Hasnain, vice-chancellor of UoH, had earlier said that the university was looking at building a research cluster modeled on the lines of the Boston cluster including MIT and Harvard in the US.
When contacted, Dr Guillermo Wille, managing director, John F Welch Technology Centre, said: “GE’s R&D centre in Bangalore is in a continuous process of growth with its teams and operations expanding. We are considering various cities as alternatives.”
GE’s R&D facility in Bangalore delivers advanced technology initiatives in medical imaging, energy generation, jet engines, advanced materials and lighting for all GE businesses. The $120-million unit, manned by about 3,000 scientists and engineers, is the first and largest integrated, multidisciplinary R&D centre outside the US. Around 50 acres of land has been allotted to the company. “Several companies have shown interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh. There was a similar kind of research partnership initiated by US-based Georgia Tech University,” said a university official.
appaji.reddem@timesgroup.com
POWERING AHEAD
• Hyderabad to be company's fifth R&D hub after New York, Shanghai, Munich & Bangalore
• Company scouting for 25 acres of land in the city
• State govt has suggested that GE should consider setting up the unit within the University of Hyderabad campus
• If GE decides to set up its R&D centre here, the synergies could create world-class opportunities for university research scholars
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