IIT Kanpur signs MoU with Airbus to boost aerospace talent base in India

Airbus and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote expanded collaboration in creating education programs with a special focus on research to support talent development in the Indian aerospace sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on September 1, 2023, by Prof.Abhay Karandikar, then Director of IIT Kanpur, and Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia.Under the terms of the agreement, both institutions will support advanced technology research and establish programs and activities to improve the technical capabilities of Indian aerospace students.

Both organizations will also look at partnership prospects with worldwide institutes where students may work on industry-related projects.The collaboration strives to create a collaborative culture that gives mentoring, exposure, and significant experience to IIT-K students.

The synergies established by these cross-skilling possibilities will help the country's aerospace sector expand.

"IIT Kanpur has been relentlessly pursuing its vision to support innovation, research, and entrepreneurial activities in technology-based fields, and Aerospace is one of the key thrust areas in this endeavor," said Prof. S. Ganesh, Officiating Director IIT Kanpur.

This relationship with Airbus Group is a big step forward. The relationship is guaranteed to improve the industrial experience of the institute's aeronautical engineering students. We look forward to a mutually beneficial interaction with our Aerospace Department, which covers a wide range of research and development in the sector."

"At Airbus, we are firmly committed to developing the aerospace ecosystem in India," stated Mr. Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia.We will continue to invest in education and skill development to assist the country establish a competent workforce.This MoU will use Airbus' knowledge and IIT Kanpur's strengths in education, research, and training to develop the next generation of technological leaders and unleash the potential of the country's rapidly developing aerospace sector."

Prof. G. M. Kamath, Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, stated, "The aerospace engineering department of IIT Kanpur has historically been at the forefront in terms of building strong industry-academia connections, as well as leveraging our research to train our students to be more industry-ready."

We are certain that this MOU will have a significant influence not just on Airbus and IIT Kanpur, but also on the Indian aerospace sector as a whole."

IIT Kanpur is one of the world's premier academic institutes for aerospace and defense education, training, research, and technology development. Many unique capabilities and sophisticated laboratories relevant to flight sciences, propulsion systems, aerospace structures and materials, and flying vehicle design, simulation, and control are housed at IIT Kanpur, particularly in the aerospace engineering department.

Source : IIT Kanpur