The Manipal Academy of Higher education(MAHE), Manipal, and Schneider Electric Bangaluru have signed an MoU for setting up a MAHE Research Centre at Schneider Electric. This research center will enable employees of Schneider and others to work on industrial research problems leading to Ph.D. degrees.

On this occasion, dignitaries and officials from MAHE and Schneider were present. Vice-chancellor of MAHE, Lt Gen Dr. M D Venkatesh, Chitra Sukumar, vice president, Research, Schneider Electric,  Venkatramanan Venugopal, director, Engineering and R&D Site Head, Dr. Narayan Sabhahit, registrar, MAHE, Dr. Sathish Rao, director, Research, MAHE, Dr. Anil Rana, director, MIT, and Dr. Vasudha Devi, deputy director, Centre for Doctoral Studies responsible for Research Centre, graced the occasion with their presence.

Also present were Dr. Manohara Pai M M, professor, Department of ICT, MIT and SPOC, Schneider Electric, Vijai Bhaskar, Innovation Ecosystem leader, Schneider Electric, Dr. Somashekar Bhat, joint director, MIT, and Dr. Smitha Pai, HoD, ICT, MIT.

Speaking about the collaboration between MAHE and Schneider Electric Bangaluru, Lt Gen Dr. M D Venkatesh said, “We are extremely pleased to be signing this MoU with Schneider Electric. The commitment of Schneider to enhance industrial research through this collaboration is commendable. An integrated learning program like this is extremely beneficial for industry professionals to improve their qualifications leading to master's and doctoral degrees.”

Chitra Sukumar, vice president, research, Schneider Electric, speaking on the occasion, said, “Industry academia collaborations like these are very crucial for industry professionals. We are honored to be joining hands with a reputed educational institute like MAHE and hope this partnership can help in exploring research collaboration in multidisciplinary areas of mutual interest.”

On behalf of Schneider Electric, Venkatramanan Venugopal, director, Engineering and R&D Site Head, signed the agreement and expressed his support for strengthening the industry-academia collaboration.

From MAHE, registrar Dr. Narayan Sabhahit signed the agreement and assured to extend the support for the sustenance of the collaboration.

Post signing the MOU, the Schneider team visited various research facilities at MIT. Chitra Sukumar, VP, Research, Schneider Electric inaugurated the Industrial IOT systems and application research lab established in the Department of ICT, MIT.