The India Decade

SRMIST and Volvo Group launch vehicle technology centre in Tamil Nadu

The facility at Kattankulathur marks Volvo Group's first university-based technical centre in India, advancing industrial skills and mobility innovation.

By The India Decade

Map: Kattankulathur
Map: Kattankulathur · “Map: Kattankulathur” by © OpenStreetMap contributors, Geoapify (ODBL) via OpenStreetMap

SRMIST and Volvo Group launch vehicle technology centre

SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) has partnered with Volvo Group CSR Trust India to open a dedicated vehicle technology centre at its campus in Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu.

The facility is the global automotive manufacturer's first university-based technical centre in India. It has been set up to bring industry-grade technology directly into academic training, giving engineering students direct experience with modern vehicle systems and sustainable transport design.

The initiative formalises a broader partnership following a Memorandum of Understanding exchanged between the Career Centre at SRMIST and Volvo Group India during the inauguration ceremony.

Hands-on training for future engineering talent

The new centre will integrate industrial expertise into the university's engineering curriculum, focusing on research, practical training, and skills development across automotive technologies.

Key areas covered by the partnership include:

  • Practical learning using industry-standard vehicle diagnostic tools and simulation hardware.
  • Collaborative research projects focused on clean commercial transit and heavy-vehicle performance.
  • Specialised technical training designed alongside Volvo experts to align with industry requirements.
  • Skill development aimed at preparing graduates for high-value engineering roles in India's automotive sector.

By placing advanced testing and design tools within a university campus, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world industrial practice.

Strengthening India's industrial innovation and research

The establishment of the technology centre highlights the expanding role of Indian universities in driving industrial research and high-tech manufacturing skills. Tamil Nadu, already established as a major hub for automotive production, continues to build up its technical capabilities through targeted industry partnerships.

Representatives from SRMIST and Volvo Group stated that the collaboration supports national efforts to build up skilled engineering manpower and promote indigenous innovation in sustainable transport systems.

The initiative reflects a growing trend of international industrial leaders investing directly in Indian academic infrastructure, ensuring that young engineers gain practical experience in clean energy transport and next-generation mobility technologies.

Key numbers

WhatFigureSource
LocationKattankulathur, Tamil NaduSRMIST and Volvo Group statement
Key partnersSRMIST Career Centre and Volvo Group CSR Trust IndiaSRMIST and Volvo Group statement

In this story

NameRole in the story
KattankulathurTown in Tamil Nadu where the SRMIST campus and new centre are located.
Volvo Group IndiaIndian arm of Volvo Group that signed the MoU with SRMIST.
SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversity hosting the new vehicle technology centre at Kattankulathur.
Volvo Group CSR Trust IndiaCorporate trust collaborating to establish the university vehicle technology centre.

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