The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) recently made headlines by solidifying its commitment to sustainability through a significant partnership with Danfoss Industries. On February 27, 2025, during the global innovation showcase IInnoventiv 2025 hosted at IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Danfoss Industries Private Limited. This collaboration marks a pivotal step toward advancing sustainable engineering solutions and solidifying the link between academia and industry.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, and Ravichandran Purushothaman, Regional President of Danfoss India. Their participation, alongside Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), showcased the collaborative spirit underlying this agreement. "This partnership with Danfoss is a step toward IIT Guwahati’s vision of fostering innovation through collaborative research and industry engagement," stated Prof. Jalihal, emphasizing the potential for cutting-edge research.
The partnership is not just symbolic but aims to facilitate concrete advancements across various technological domains. It will primarily focus on water desalination technologies, energy-efficient industrial heating and cooling solutions, advanced power electronics and drives, high-pressure pump systems, along with waste heat utilization and campus decarbonization efforts. The collaboration will also extend to the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE) - Danfoss Solutions at IIT Guwahati, aiming to bolster industry collaboration and streamline technological innovations.
Ravichandran Purushothaman expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting, "We are excited to collaborate with IIT Guwahati, known for its leading research and academic excellence. This collaboration supports our mission to drive sustainable innovation in energy efficiency, water management, and climate technologies." This partnership is expected to yield significant breakthroughs, with students actively participating through internships, joint projects, and exposure to Danfoss's global operations. Top-performing students will not only have the opportunity to gain real-world experience but will also be eligible for pre-placement offers (PPOs), which can significantly boost their career prospects.
Beyond internships, the MoU paves the way for facilitating educational programs focusing on international exposure. IIT Guwahati plans to engage with the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Danfoss for creating joint educational programs. These initiatives aim to equip students with industry-relevant skills and promote cross-cultural learning experiences. This forward-thinking approach is fundamental for nurturing the talent pool needed to tackle global sustainability challenges.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar also underscored the importance of such industry-academia partnerships. He stated, "It is important to acknowledge the cooperation between industry and academia for sustainable development," emphasizing the role of such collaborations not only for technological advancement but also for fostering regional growth, particularly within the North Eastern Region.
The MoU remains valid for five years, with flexibility to renew and expand its scope to include new research fields, such as digital transformation, smart infrastructure solutions, and advanced manufacturing. This strategic partnership stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable future endeavors, inspiring similar initiatives across various sectors.
Backed by committed leadership and innovative research agendas, this collaboration between IIT Guwahati and Danfoss symbolizes the deeply interconnected future of technology and education. It is expected to generate transformative impacts on both academic and industrial fronts, establishing IIT Guwahati at the forefront of sustainable technological advancement.