NIT-T plans SME research centre

The National Institute of Technology-Tiruchi, in association with the UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI), plans to set up a Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises Research and Development here to study the problems and challenges faced by the micro, small and medium units in India.

The centre will also work to identify the potential for leveraging overseas business opportunities and transfer the best practices from the developed world, especially the U.K., to the Indian SMEs in the manufacturing and service sectors.

S. Sundarrajan, Director of NIT-T, told The Hindu that the centre would have sustained engagement with the SMEs to resolve problems. It would also provide comprehensive technical and managerial support to the SMEs through research and development, mentoring, training, testing and characterisation services.

It would act as a channel to connect the Indian SMEs with their counterparts in developed countries through collaboration with leading universities.

The centre would help in the internalisation of the Indian SMEs by developing their technical and managerial competency. This could be achieved through linking leading universities focusing on SME development and SMEs themselves in other countries.

G. Kannabiran, professor, management, NIT-T, said the SMEs in India had been facing many challenges. They had to be studied in detail to find solutions. Individual study could also be carried out in specific cases. Moreover, the SMEs would be supported for identifying international markets and business development. Similarly, there was a possibility of offering MBA course for proprietors and managers of the SMEs and certificate courses in skill development

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