Autodesk and IIT Chennai Establishes the Centre of Excellence for Innovative Design and Research

March 27, 2007 - Autodesk Inc. and The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), among India’s foremost institutes for technology education, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a ‘Centre of Excellence (COE) for Innovative Design and Research’. Under the MOU, Autodesk will invest Rupees 1 Crore to set up a Design COE and establish a ‘Design Finishing School’ at IIT Madras for engineering students from across the country. As a part of the agreement, IIT Madras and Autodesk will also undertake joint research projects and will conduct outreach programs for the small to medium enterprise (SME) market to improve the design and engineering skills of professionals to make their companies globally more competitive.

As per the MOU, Autodesk will provide computing infrastructure, leading 3D design software including Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Alias Studio industrial design tools and assist IIT Madras in developing design courseware and potentially new elective inter-disciplinary courses in the areas of product design. Students at IIT Madras will also receive access to the global Autodesk Student Engineering and Design Community portal to download the free* software they need to bring their designs to life. The Student Community also allows students and faculty to stay current with the latest 3D design technologies and industry best practices, engage with other students around the world on design projects, and even search for career opportunities. Autodesk will also conduct a design contest for IIT Madras students to encourage the spirit of innovation.

Speaking at the signing, Paul Mailhot, Autodesk’s senior director of worldwide education, said, “In a globalising economy, design is emerging as a new engine of economic and industrial growth. Engineering design and breakthrough innovations will play a pivotal role in positioning Indian industries in the global arena apart from enhancing competitiveness and creating intellectual property. Autodesk’s partnership with IIT-Madras is a significant step to drive deeper design literacy not only among students at this institution, but also other engineering colleges; as well as for sharpening the skills of engineers currently employed in the industry.”

Autodesk Inc. and The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), among India’s foremost institutes for

The joint SME outreach program will be conducted through IIT Madras’ Centre for Continuing Education, to small and medium manufacturing enterprises. IIT Madras will also conduct a finishing school that shall offer courses on product design and development to engineering students.

Professor MS Ananth, Director, IIT-Madras said, “In today’s globalized world, design is the key to the growth of any economy that aspires to be competitive.  Product innovation through design competency is the key market differentiator across major industrial sectors today.   This MoU between IIT Madras and Autodesk is to help in developing innovative design skills among our students and to create a sustained pool of skilled manpower in the country.    The two institutions will work together to proactively create training modules on latest design technologies and industry standards for the manufacturing SME community and conduct regular outreach programmes.”

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Rajiv Nair, Regional Director, Autodesk India & SAARC region said, “India needs a robust design ecosystem for developing a skilled community to capitalize on emerging industry opportunities. At Autodesk, we are consistently striving to develop the foundation of the ecosystem by ensuring that the education community, both students and faculty have access to international best practices in the area of design. Autodesk’s recent initiative is aimed at familiarizing and educating India’s student community with the latest 3D model-based designing technologies.”

Bringing the industry perspective, Dr. Aravind S. Bharadwaj, Head – Advanced Engineering, Ashok Leyland commented, “There is an increasing shortage of skilled people in the industry. With the Indian industry’s projected rapid growth, this gap will only widen further. Initiatives that ensure students in India get early exposure to advanced technologies and trends in the area of design and engineering are welcome by the Industry and I congratulate IIT Madras and Autodesk on this partnership.”

Autodesk is committed to the education fabric of the country and is working with several leading institutes to ensure best practices in design are taught at the very early stages of engineering. Autodesk works with over 50,000 educational institutions globally and welcomes initiatives from institutions to co-develop new courses/ curriculum spanning new trends in design.

About Indian Institute of Technology, Madras:

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, is one among the foremost institutes of national importance in higher technological education, basic and applied research. In 1956, the German Government offered technical assistance for establishing an institute of higher education in engineering in India. The first Indo-German agreement in Bonn, West Germany for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology at Madras was signed in 1959. IIT Madras is a residential institute with nearly 460 faculty, 4500 students and 1250 administrative & supporting staff and is a self-contained campus located in a beautiful wooded land of about 250 hectares. It has established itself as a premier centre for teaching, research and industrial consultancy in the country. The Institute has fifteen academic departments and a few advanced research centres in various disciplines of engineering and pure sciences, with nearly 100 laboratories organised in a unique pattern of functioning. A faculty of international repute, a brilliant student community, excellent technical & supporting staff and an effective administration has all contributed to the pre-eminent status of IIT Madras.