IIT Madras, Finnish institute launch VAYYU climate centre; faculty exchange, joint research in plans

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has partnered with the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) to establish the Virtual Research Centre on Aerosol–Meteorology Interactions (VAYYU), Himalayan Atmosphere-Cryosphere interactions, and Urban Air, a joint knowledge hub focused on advancing earth system science, weather prediction and air-quality research.

As per the IIT Madras statement, the initiative integrates advanced climate modelling, land–atmosphere–chemistry supersites and Indo-Finnish expertise to generate climate-risk insights and improved environmental forecasting tools.

The centre builds upon two ongoing collaborations — the €10 million (Rs 107 crore) CryoSCOPE project studying atmosphere cryosphere processes in Kargil in the Himalayas, and the CO ENHANCIN project worth five crore rupees that enabled an advanced urban observatory in Chennai equipped with aerosol analysers, lidar profilers, rain radar and atmospheric chemistry instruments. These facilities provide high resolution real time data to understand glacier melt, hydro climate changes and pollution patterns across Indian megacities.

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IIT Madras: Faculty exchange, winter schools

Welcoming the collaboration, IIT Madras director V Kamakoti said, “Climate change and monitoring is the most important area to be investigated in a global platform. It is very heartening to note that IIT Madras will partner with the Finnish Meteorological Institute in this very important topic.”

FMI director Petteri Taalas added the partnership strengthens ongoing joint work to address environmental challenges relevant to India and globally.

Research centre coordinator Chandan Sarangi said the initiative aims to improve coupled climate chemistry modelling over India and reduce uncertainties in pollution climate interactions, particularly over large urban regions.

“Currently, our understanding of pollution–climate coupling remains uncertain,” he said, adding that VAYYU will bring together observational scientists, modellers and engineers.

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The collaboration also emphasises human resource development through student and faculty exchanges, winter schools on cryosphere modelling, summer internships and specialised workshops, along with access to FMI supercomputing infrastructure.

As per the IIT Madras press release, the initiative will enhance long term research cooperation and capacity building. “VAYYU will develop ambitious multilateral and bilateral joint research proposals aligned with India’s priorities,” said Rakesh K Hooda, lead collaborator of VAYYU research centre.