Airbus signs MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to develop workforce

Airbus, a pioneer of the global aerospace industry, and Vadodara-based Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a holistic partnership that includes the development of academic curricula, faculty, industrial experience, training and scholarships, and collaboration with international institutes, Airbus said in a release on Thursday.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw.

As per the MoU, Airbus and the GSV, a central university under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, will collaborate in the fields of research, teaching, and training of students to deepen their understanding of the scientific, technological, and management topics pertaining to the aerospace sector.

Both entities will work together to support the development of the academic curriculum as well as the executive programmes relevant to the sector. Additionally, they will explore potential synergies for joint research, partnerships with international institutes and internship and placement opportunities for the students of GSV, the release said.

Speaking at the event, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "We will be signing MoUs with other big companies engaged in logistics and transportation after Airbus as well. The course curriculum will be decided after consulting with the industries."

"The first C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility that is being set up under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will need a skilled workforce of 15000 personnel who will be trained in Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya," the Minister added.

Speaking at the signing, Remi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia, said, "We subscribe to the Gati Shakti vision of seamless and efficient connectivity. We are committed to developing India as a global aviation hub and to further supporting the growth of the commercial aviation industry in the country. A core element of the aerospace ecosystem is talent development. Under this partnership with the GSV, we will bring in our global expertise to develop the best diverse talents in India and build a strong pipeline of skilled workforce for the sector."

The Vice Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Manoj Choudhary, highlighted, "Being an industry-driven and innovation-driven university, focusing exclusively on the transportation and logistics sector, this partnership with Airbus will very significantly enhance the aerospace and aviation sector in India through the creation of best-in-class talent and joint research programmes."

Airbus shares a long-standing relationship of collaboration and symbiotic growth with India. For more than 50 years, technology and know-how from the company have catalysed the growth of India's civil aviation sector and supported the modernisation of its armed forces, the press release said.

Together with its supply chain, Airbus supports nearly 10,000 jobs in India. Airbus' local footprint in sourcing, engineering, innovation, maintenance and training services is a testament to its commitment to developing India's aerospace ecosystem.

The C295 Final Assembly Line being built in Vadodara is an example of this commitment as it is the first 'Make in India' aerospace programme in the private sector that involves the development of a complete industrial ecosystem in the country.

Airbus has developed pilot training capabilities in Gurgaon and maintenance training in Bengaluru. The collaboration with the GSV will further support in creation of a skilled workforce for the country's booming aerospace sector, the release mentioned.