Vadodara: Aviation giant Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), India’s unique industry-driven central university for the transportation and logistics sector, based in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The Centre marks a significant milestone in the long-term collaboration between Airbus and GSV to strengthen India’s aerospace ecosystem through organic research, innovation, and talent development. A key focus area of the CoE will be R&D in Sustainable Aviation Fuel and supporting student-led innovations in future aerospace technologies.

Announced in 2024, the CoE was inaugurated by Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, in the presence of Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, Member of the Court of GSV, and Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.

“The inauguration of this Centre of Excellence at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya marks a milestone in our mission to co-create a robust aerospace ecosystem in India. This Centre is a clear demonstration of Airbus’ commitment to R&D and innovation, focusing on groundbreaking technologies such as transforming Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). We are pleased that this collaboration between Airbus and GSV will empower students with the skills to lead overall ecosystem development, shaping India’s future aviation landscape and supporting the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision,” said Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia.

Prof. Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor of GSV, highlighted, “Under the guidance of our Hon. Chancellor Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya is converting an industry-driven, innovation-led vision into reality for building highly skilled human capital and new technologies for the entire transportation and logistics sector. Airbus has been the foremost leader to set up a one-of-its-kind industry–academia partnership with GSV, which has now become a template for the country. The inauguration of the CoE is yet another tangible step to realize our shared mission and partnership for aerospace sector growth in the country, in addition to earlier actions for setting up the Airbus Chair Professorship and Airbus Scholarships. This whole-of-the-sector approach envisaged by our Hon. PM Sh. Narendra Modi shall be a key enabler for Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), India’s only university in the transportation and logistics sector, was established as a Central University by an Act of Parliament in 2022. Following a demand-driven curriculum, the University is mandated to cover the entire transportation sector, including Railways, Aviation, Highways, Ports, Maritime, Shipping, Inland Waterways, Urban Transport, and complete logistics and supply chain networks.