Vadodara: Airbus has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Aerospace Studies at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), India’s industry-focused university for the transportation and logistics sector, located in Vadodara, Gujarat. The Centre represents a major milestone in the long-term collaboration between Airbus and GSV, aimed at strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem through research, innovation and talent development. A key focus of the CoE will be research and development in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and encouraging student-led innovations in next-generation aerospace technologies.
Originally announced in 2024, the Centre was inaugurated by Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia, in the presence of Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, Member of the Court of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, and Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor, GSV.
Prof. Manoj Choudhary said the university is translating its industry-driven, innovation-led vision into reality by building skilled human capital and advancing new technologies for the transportation and logistics sector. He noted that Airbus has set a benchmark in industry-academia collaboration with GSV through initiatives such as the Airbus Chair Professorship and Airbus Scholarships. He added that this integrated approach aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Jürgen Westermeier described the inauguration as a significant step in Airbus’ commitment to building a robust aerospace ecosystem in India. He highlighted that the Centre will focus on breakthrough technologies to convert Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel, while equipping students with skills to shape India’s future aviation landscape and support the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Since 2024, Airbus and GSV have developed a comprehensive partnership to strengthen the foundations of India’s aerospace sector. This includes a full scholarship programme for 45 meritorious and underprivileged students, with one-third reserved for women, reinforcing the focus on inclusive human capital development. Airbus has also established a Chair Professor for Aerospace Studies to support undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education programmes.
The collaboration further extends to advanced research through a Joint Study Agreement aimed at developing sustainable aviation solutions. The initiative supports R&D on converting MSW into SAF, combining GSV’s academic research strengths with Airbus’ industrial expertise to help build a locally sourced, circular aviation fuel ecosystem in India.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, established as a Central University by an Act of Parliament in 2022, is India’s only university dedicated to the transportation and logistics sector. The university offers demand-driven education covering Railways, Aviation, Highways, Ports, Maritime, Shipping, Inland Waterways, Urban Transport and integrated logistics and supply chain systems. The university is headed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as Chancellor.