Manipal, 20^th June 2022: The Manipal Academy of Higher education (MAHE), Manipal, and Schneider Electric Bengaluru have signed an MoU for setting up a MAHE Research Centre at Schneider Electric Bengaluru. This Research center will enable employees of Schneider and others to work on industrial research problems leading to the Ph.D. degree.

On this occasion, dignitaries, and officials from MAHE and Schneider were present. Vice Chancellor of MAHE, Lt. Gen. Dr. M.D. Venkatesh, Ms. Chitra Sukumar- Vice president, Research, Schneider Electric, Mr 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, Dy. Director, Centre for Doctoral studies responsible for Research center, graced the occasion with their presence

Also present were Dr. Manohara Pai M. M, Professor, Department of ICT, MIT and SPOC, Schneider electric, Mr. 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 Bengaluru 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 masters and doctoral degrees”

Chitra Sukumar, Vice president, Research, Schneider electric also spoke on the occasion saying “Industry, academia collaborations like these are very crucial for industry professionals. We are honoured 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, Mr Venkatramanan Venugopal, Director of Engineering and R&D Site Head signed the agreement and expressed his support for strengthening the industry-academia collaboration. From the MAHE side Dr. Narayan Sabhahit, Registrar, MAHE 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. Ms Chitra Sukumar, VP of Research, Schneider electric inaugurated the Industrial IOT systems and application research lab established in the Department of ICT, MIT.