Research is the primary measure by which universities and faculty are judged worldwide. It is also a key criteria used by graduate students and young faculty when making career choices. At IITB, research is hampered by inadequate facilities, old equipment, maintenance deficiencies, too few top-level graduate students to provide an adequate research labor force, and lack of research funding.

Attainment of world-class status will require general renovation of facilities and acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, investment by industry in research at IITB must be considered in the context of existing facilities. Inadequate facilities will force potential research sponsors to discount IITB, in particular foreign corporations seeking university partnerships.

With adequate investment in updating research facilities, IITB will become the university of choice for industry investment and a world-class leader in research.