The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Autodesk has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower the next generation of engineers, designers, and innovators, equipping them for future careers in the design and make industries.
It is understood that this collaboration aims to combine Autodesk’s expertise with IIT Bombay’s leadership in education, research, and innovation to advance skill development and enhance India’s technical landscape.
The MoU was signed by Steve Blum, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Autodesk, and Professor Ravindra Gudi, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations at IIT Bombay, at a ceremony held on the IIT Bombay campus. Autodesk’s President and CEO, Andrew Anagnost, and IIT Bombay Director, Professor Shireesh Kedare, along with other senior leaders, were also present.
Speaking about the collaboration, Steve Blum stated: “We are excited to partner with IIT Bombay, a leader in the field of engineering education and research worldwide. This MoU underscores Autodesk’s commitment to fostering innovation, promoting skills development, and enhancing equity and access to the world of work. As the industry strives for continuous innovation and sustainable outcomes, partnerships with academia play a significant role in creating opportunities for collaboration and helping the industry to embrace digital transformation.”
Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, highlighted the value this collaboration brings to students, saying: “We are delighted to partner with Autodesk in empowering tomorrow’s engineers, designers, and innovators. Through Autodesk’s Fusion, Forma, and Flow platforms, our students will gain access to transformative tools and hands-on experiences that will enable them to excel in today’s competitive design and manufacturing landscape. This collaboration will bridge academic learning with cutting-edge industry technology, foster innovation, and position our graduates as vital contributors to India’s progress in science, technology, and sustainable industry practices. Together, we are paving the way for a new era of workforce readiness that will shape the future of India’s design and make industries.”
The design and make industries — covering sectors such as architecture, engineering and construction, design and manufacturing, and media and entertainment — employ nearly 300 million people worldwide and are projected to represent $30 trillion in global value by 2027.
Autodesk is committed to expanding access to its technology and training for future professionals in these fields.
The company offers free software solutions in infrastructure, construction, water, manufacturing, and entertainment to over 100 million students and educators across 160,000 educational institutions worldwide. In India alone, more than five million students in over 14,000 secondary and post-secondary institutions use Autodesk’s software to gain industry-relevant skills. As a global partner of WorldSkills, Autodesk recently supported students competing in WorldSkills and IndiaSkills 2024, where over 900 participants demonstrated their expertise across 61 skill categories.
