SMC India and BITS Pilani Establish Centre of Excellence for Industry 4.0 and Industrial Automation
April 30: In a significant step toward strengthening India’s advanced manufacturing and deep-tech ecosystem, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani and SMC Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Industrial Automation and Industry 4.0 Technologies at the BITS Pilani campus. The initiative will be supported through SMC India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
The Centre of Excellence is envisioned as a long-term, future-focused platform at the intersection of mechatronics, industrial automation, and Industry 4.0 technologies. It will bring together BITS Pilani’s strong academic and research ecosystem with SMC India’s global expertise in pneumatics, automation systems, and industrial solutions.
The CoE will serve as a hub for advanced research, industry-relevant skilling, applied innovation, and entrepreneurship development, aimed at building capabilities that support India’s transition toward smart manufacturing and digitally enabled industrial systems. It is expected to play a key role in bridging the gap between academic research and real-world industrial applications.
Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Kaushal Kapoor, CSR Head, SMC Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd., said:
“The CoE will enable structured programs in Industrial Automation and Industry 4.0 for both industry and academic participants, focusing on reskilling and upskilling for future-ready capabilities. Beyond training, it will also act as a collaborative platform for technology development and deployment, bringing together researchers, startups, and industry professionals.”
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said:
“The SMC India Centre of Excellence is designed as a space where research in automation and Industry 4.0 translates into deep-tech innovation and startups. Over time, we expect the Centre to anchor a strong pipeline of innovation and entrepreneurship. This partnership represents an important step in strengthening research, skilling, and innovation-led growth.”
Through this collaboration, BITS Pilani and SMC India aim to create a sustainable ecosystem for innovation, talent development, and industry-academia engagement, contributing to India’s emergence as a global hub for advanced manufacturing technologies.
