IIT Hyderabad proudly announces the launch of the Indo-German  initiative, the Heidelberg-Hyderabad Hub in Advanced Chemical Education (H^3ACE). The Hub is  initiated by Heidelberg University, Germany in partnership with institutions of eminence, IIT  Hyderabad and TIFR Hyderabad.  

Heidelberg University is Germany’s oldest university and a global leader in interdisciplinary research  and education. Building on its excellence strategy and existing partnerships with institutions in  Hyderabad, the university is setting up H^3ACE as a long-term Indo-German initiative in Hyderabad.  This hub aims to strengthen bilateral and multilateral Academia-Academia and Academia-Industry  partnerships, fostering chemical research, innovation, technology transfer, and student employability. 

Chemical research and innovation are crucial for addressing global challenges, as they drive  advancements in materials, pharmaceuticals, energy, and agriculture. Computational Chemistry, in  particular, has become a key enabler in modern industry, accelerating innovation, reducing costs, and  minimizing environmental impact by simulating molecular processes. Recognizing its transformative  potential, the Heidelberg Hyderabad Hub for Advanced Chemical Education (H^3ACE) is launching  its first event focusing on Computational Chemistry. In pharmaceuticals, computational methods are  revolutionizing drug discovery by predicting biological activity and toxicity profiles, significantly  shortening development timelines. Similarly, in the energy sector, computational techniques aid in  designing advanced materials for energy storage and fuel cells, aligning with Germany’s leadership  in sustainable energy and India’s renewable expansion goals. Agriculture also benefits through  optimized agrochemicals that enhance yield while minimizing environmental impact. Given the  impact of chemical research, strong Indo-German collaborations are essential. Hyderabad and  Heidelberg, with their complementary academic and industrial strengths, provide an ideal ecosystem for joint research and innovation. A key initiative is the establishment of a long-term Indo-German  exchange program at the master’s and graduate levels, fostering education, training, and cross-cultural  learning in advanced chemistry. Industry and governmental support will be vital in driving this  collaboration, paving the way for sustainable scientific, technological, and economic partnerships  between the two regions.

The inaugural event was initiated with welcome message delivered by Prof. G Narahari Sastry, Dean  SRC, IIT Hyderabad and vote of thanks delivered by Dr Suboor Bakht, Director, Foreign Office South  Asia,Heidelberg University 

To mark the launch, a sevevisitn-member delegation led by Heidelberg University’s two Vice  Presidents, Prof. Andreas Dreuw and Prof. Katja Patzel-Mattern, visiting Hyderabad from February  24-28, 2025. The inauguration has been accompanied by an Indo-German School on Computational  Chemistry, featuring the participation of five German professors and 17 German students, alongside  17 professors and 40 students from eminent institutions in Hyderabad, including IIT Hyderabad, TIFR  Hyderabad, IICT, and the University of Hyderabad. 

Heidelberg University, established in 1386, is Germany's oldest university and a leading research  institution in the World. Heidelberg University was ranked 84th in the world by the QS World  University Rankings 2025. The university offers over 160 fields of study, providing a broad spectrum  of subjects representative of a comprehensive university. Heidelberg University is an internationally  networked research university dedicated to research-oriented teaching. It believes it has a duty to help  address the issues facing humanity by crossing the divide between disciplines. The university is  committed to sustainability, actively contributing to the scientific investigation of climate change and  the development of sustainable technologies. Its excellence is reflected in consistent top rankings and  recognition in international competitions.