New Delhi: Airbus and the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration for the development of education programs aimed at nurturing talent within the Indian aerospace sector.
The signing took place between Prof. Abhay Karandikar, then Director of IIT Kanpur, and Rémi Maillard, who served as President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, on September 1, 2023.
This partnership will focus on advancing research in cutting-edge technologies and creating initiatives to enhance the technical skills of aerospace students in India. Furthermore, both organisations will explore opportunities for cooperation with global institutions, allowing students to engage in projects that are sector-relevant.
The primary goal of this collaboration is to establish a culture of cooperation that offers mentorship, exposure, and valuable experience to IIT Kanpur students, ultimately contributing to the growth of the aerospace industry in the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Rémi Maillard, the President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, stated, “This MoU will harness Airbus’ expertise and IIT Kanpur’s capabilities in education, research and training to nurture the next generation of technology leaders and will unlock the potential of the fast-evolving aerospace landscape in the country.”
Prof. S. Ganesh, Officiating Director from IIT Kanpur, said, “This collaboration with Airbus Group indeed is a significant step. The collaboration is certain to enhance the industry experience of aerospace engineering students at the institute. With our Aerospace Department covering an expansive array of research and development in the field we look forward to a mutually fulfilling engagement”.
Prof. G. M. Kamath, Department Head of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, added, “The aerospace engineering department of IIT Kanpur has historically been at the forefront with regard to building strong industry-academia connections, and leveraging our research to train our students to be more industry-ready. We are confident that this MOU will lead to impactful outcomes for not only Airbus and IIT Kanpur, but also for the aerospace ecosystem of India at large.”
Airbus views India not merely as a market, but as a strategic resource center. The company is actively expanding its presence in India, including aircraft assembly, manufacturing, design, as well as fostering training and academic partnerships to cultivate all the necessary components for a fully integrated aerospace ecosystem within the nation.
Airbus’ extensive involvement in sourcing, engineering, innovation, maintenance, and training services reflects its strong dedication to enhancing India’s aerospace ecosystem. The construction of the C295 Final Assembly Line in Vadodara is a prime example of this commitment, representing the first ‘Make in India’ aerospace initiative in the private sector, fostering the development of a comprehensive industrial ecosystem in the country.
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