IIT-T inks pact to set up Centre of Excellence in Solar Manufacturing

Tirupati: The Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati (IIT Tirupati) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia, and the Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET), Visakhapatnam, to explore the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Solar Manufacturing (CoESM) at IIT Tirupati.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Nara Lokesh in Amaravati on Sunday.

The proposed Centre of Excellence will focus on research, education, workforce development, and industry collaboration in solar photovoltaic manufacturing, recycling, and circular economy practices.

Under the agreement, CoEET will coordinate funding, industry and government partnerships, and administrative support for the project. CoEET has been formed through the collaboration of state’s power utilities, including APDISCOMs, APGENCO, and APTRANSCO. UNSW Sydney will develop and deliver academic and professional training programmes and contribute its expertise in solar cell manufacturing and reliability engineering. IIT Tirupati will provide academic infrastructure, faculty support, and research collaboration for the Centre.

The MoU was signed by D Suman Kalyani, Chief General Manager (HRD), APEPDCL, on behalf of CoEET; Prof KN Satyanarayana, Director, on behalf of IIT Tirupati and Prof Liza Zamberlan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), on behalf of UNSW Sydney. At IIT Tirupati, the initiative was coordinated by the Office of Competency Development and Outreach under the leadership of Dean Prof Arun K Tangirala.