A partnership to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) to replicate the Pravriddhi program model.

New Delhi, January 21, 2025: As a first step towards shaping India's manufacturing future, the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). The MoU was signed during the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in the presence of Shri H D Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, and other dignitaries.

The MoU aims to replicate the product accelerator platform developed under Pravriddhi program, launched by FSID at IISc in November 2024. The program facilitates collaboration among enterprises, academia, research laboratories, and investors to drive innovation in developing products for a self-reliant India.

The partnership will establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE), focusing on research, development, technology innovation, and testing, validation, and engineering services in the mobility space. This CoE will emphasize on safety, sustainability, and reliability, leveraging mutual human capital, intellectual property, and cutting-edge infrastructure.

Under the MoU, FSID & ARAI will jointly identify and onboard key industry partners to co-create mobility products, stimulating investment in cohort-based development. The program will prioritise knowledge transfer, offering training through advanced skilling platforms that integrate state-of-the-art software and processes. Eminent experts from both academia and industry will contribute to ensuring that product development achieves world-class standards and capabilities.

Prof B Gurumoorthy, Director, FSID, "We are immensely excited about this MoU, by leveraging IISc's world-class facilities, R&D expertise, and a robust network of strategic partners across India, we aim to drive innovation, sustainability, and safer mobility solutions. Pravriddhi is a proven program, built on our experience of running an accelerator in high-speed rotating machinery with the support of the Ministry of Heavy Industry (MHI)."

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI said, "It is a great pleasure to host Hon'ble Minister Shri H D Kumaraswamy and have his presence for the announcements and launches. The support from the Ministry of Heavy Industries has enabled ARAI to expand its portfolio and facilities to enhance our expertise for serving the automotive industry. ARAI, while being a major stakeholder in homologation and developmental testing and standardisation has also been fundamental in innovating technologies for sustainable mobility like Concept Demo of Over-Head Automated Charging Device, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain, which are at display at Bharat Mobility Global Expo. We are thrilled to showcase these technologies and drive conversations for a greener tomorrow."

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Yogesh Pandit, Director – Product Acceleration, FSID, said, "The MoU between FSID and ARAI marks a significant step in advancing innovation and research in the mobility sector. The collaboration will leverage shared resources, foster government and corporate partnerships, and contribute to the development of cutting-edge solutions that address critical challenges in the mobility landscape. This alliance not only supports mutual growth but also enhances societal impact by enabling the creation of safer and more sustainable mobility systems." 

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