Ashoka University has forged a strategic alliance with Carl Zeiss India (Bangalore) (ZEISS Group) to establish an advanced 'Core Imaging Facility.' In this collaboration, the university will benefit from the latest microscopy technology provided by the company, encompassing High Resolution, Super Resolution, and High Content microscopes. Positioned on the university's Sonepat campus, the Facility is designed to cater to researchers, students, and collaborators in fields such as cell biology, biophysics, soft matter, and structural biology.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalised between the university and the Research Microscopy Solutions (RMS) division of Carl Zeiss India, a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss AG?a German technology enterprise with a history dating back to 1846, recognised globally for its contributions to optics and optoelectronics. This collaboration marks ZEISS's inaugural venture into establishing such a facility in India and its first-ever partnership with a private university in the country.

Within the framework of this agreement, ZEISS will station Expert System Operators at the Facility to assist researchers in optimising the use of the cutting-edge equipment for their scientific inquiries. Additionally, the partners will collaborate to raise awareness and provide opportunities to the Indian research community through the Facility, offering periodic microscopy courses, conferences, and workshops tailored for STEM students.

Amarjeet Singh Tak, Head of RMS Division for India and Neighbouring Countries, expressed, "The partnership with Ashoka University signifies a significant convergence between ZEISS's extensive legacy in microscopy solutions and the academic prowess of the university." Emphasising ZEISS's commitment to bridging the gap between industry and the student community, Tak highlighted the potential for advancing scientific research in India through this collaboration.

Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor of Ashoka University, expressed delight in establishing the Core Imaging Facility with ZEISS, providing researchers and students access to highly sophisticated microscopic technology?an essential foundation for explorations and discoveries. He noted that the Facility would house state-of-the-art microscopes, currently possessed by only a few labs in the country, aligning with Ashoka University's mission to position India as a hub and global leader in cutting-edge scientific research.

K Vijay Raghavan, Former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India and Chairperson of Ashoka University's Science Advisory Council, lauded the collaboration, stating that the Zeiss facility at Ashoka University represents a pioneering step in scaling the use of cutting-edge microscopy in the country. He anticipated that through teaching, training, and research, this collaboration would open new paths at the forefront of scientific exploration across various disciplines.

Source: Business Standard