The center will focus on advancing research and nurturing talent in Computer Science
19 April 2024
Walmart Global Tech (WGT) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to launch the Walmart Center for Tech Excellence – designed to strengthen the research ecosystem in India. The center will focus on driving research excellence in the field of Computer Science and empowering talent with opportunities for future growth. In February 2024, Walmart launched a Center for Tech Excellence at IIT Madras. Walmart’s partnerships with academia reinforce its commitment towards serving communities and helping them live better.
The center will operate within IISc’s Department of Computer Science and Automation (CSA) and will focus on solving foundational problems in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Computer Systems and Theoretical Computer Science. To inspire top researchers in India, this initiative will onboard and grant fellowships to highly-skilled Pre-doc, PhD and Post-doc candidates. Additionally, the center will focus on nurturing a new generation of talent by mentoring students from tier 2 and tier 3 institutes in India through internships, workshops and Pre-doc opportunities. It will also foster collaboration with leading international universities and help contribute to the global research community.
The center was launched at an inaugural event in the presence of Hari Vasudev, EVP, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech; Balu Chaturvedula, SVP & Country Head, Walmart Global Tech along with G Rangarajan, Director, IISc and Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean, Division of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Sciences (EECS), IISc. Key leaders from Walmart and senior faculty members of CSA, IISc, led by CSA Chair Vinod Ganapathy, were also present at the event.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Hari Vasudev, EVP, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech, said, “I’m truly proud to witness the launch of the Walmart Center for Tech Excellence and excited about the contributions it will make to the field of research. As a people-led, tech-powered organization, we believe in the power of technology to serve people and communities to live better lives. Our partnership with the academia helps us bring this vision to life and our collaboration with IISc is another milestone in this journey.”
Sharing his thoughts at the inauguration, Balu Chaturvedula, SVP & Country Head, Walmart Global Tech, said, “Serving communities has always been central to our values at Walmart. Our partnership with IISc is another step forward in this direction. The Walmart Center for Tech Excellence is positioned to make a significant contribution to the research community – not just in India but even at a global scale. I am excited to see the center’s vision come to life and the opportunities that it will unfold.”
“We are very grateful for the support from Walmart Global Tech in advancing research on critical areas related to Computer Science,” said G Rangarajan, Director, IISc. “With its focus on problem-solving as well as research mentorship and collaborations, the Walmart Center for Tech Excellence at IISc will become a leading research hub in the coming years.”
“IISc has a strong history of cutting-edge research contributions in Computer Science. In partnership with Walmart Global Tech, we seek to leverage this legacy to carry out transformational research at the frontiers of algorithms, Machine Learning and edge computing,” said Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean, Division of EECS, IISc. “We look forward to many exciting research and innovation outcomes from this collaboration.”
MEDIA CONTACT FOR WALMART GLOBAL TECH:
Sunaina Chowdhry | sunaina.chowdhry@walmart.com | 7259811787
MEDIA CONTACT FOR IISc:
Office of Communications | news@iisc.ac.in
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2024 revenue of $648 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart.
About Walmart Global Tech
At Walmart Global Tech, we work at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies inspired by the vision of transforming retail tech. As a people-led and tech-powered organization, we drive innovations that impact millions of lives globally. Our associates empower us with innovative solutions that power the world’s leading retailer, driving digital solutions that keep us resilient and future-ready. Additional information about Walmart Global Tech can be found by visiting our website and LinkedIn.
About IISc
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was established in 1909 by a visionary partnership between the industrialist Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the Mysore royal family and the Government of India. Over the last 115 years, IISc has become India’s premier institute for advanced scientific and technological research and education. Its mandate is “to provide for advanced instruction and to conduct original investigations in all branches of knowledge as are likely to promote the material and industrial welfare of India.” In 2018, IISc was selected as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) by the Government of India, and it consistently figures among the top Indian institutions in world university rankings.
