Nirmala nod: NIT-T huddles with industry body representatives

Close on the heels of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman vesting the National Institute of Technology-Tiruchi (NIT-T) with the responsibility of determining the nature of a Centre of Excellence proposed to be established in Tiruchi under the Defence Corridor Project, the Institute on Wednesday hosted a consultative meeting with TANSTIA (Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association) to discuss ‘collaboration opportunities and strategies’.

Led by TANSTIA General Secretary C.K. Mohan, members of the executive committee consisting of district-level representatives of SME bodies discussed with faculty of NIT-T areas of collaborations and time-bound action plans for benefit of SMEs in the State.

The NIT-T was keen on transferring the utility of its Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing and its exposure in defence Research and Development to the SMEs, Mini Shaji Thomas, Institute Director, said.

The researches were being undertaken in collaboration with Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Bangalore; Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Cochin; Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai; and Vehicle Research and Development Establishment, Ahmed nagar.

A Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing (Siemens) being established at a project cost of Rs. 189.83 crore, with 10% contribution by the Institute, will encompass 10 state-of-the-art laboratories, she said.

Collaborative Research and Development, access to research and development, testing and calibration, academic and research programs, short-term technical training, management training, support through internship for UG students, and promoting innovations and start-ups constitute potential contributions of NITT to Defence Quad, Dr. Mini said.

Focus

The focus of the NITT's Centre for SME Research and Development was to enable internationalisation of SMEs through an integrated approach. The Centre would extend sustained support for leveraging opportunities and to solve business problems of SME, , the Centre's Head G. Kannabiran said.

The discussion paved way for future collaboration through signing of MoU, participation of NITT in all events pertaining to Defence Corridor Project to be organised in Hosur, Coimbatore and Chennai, obtaining international funding through UNIDO and UNESCO to support SMEs and focussing on defence manufacturingand supporting SMEs through establishment of common facility centre.

The TANSTIA was preparing its member units for tapping the huge opportunities in fabrication of parts for ship building industry and manufacture of defence components under the Central Government's move for massive indigenisation, Mr. Mohan said.

Source