Fostering Academia-Industry Collaborations in Composites

Recognising the need for fostering collaboration between academia and industry in the composites sector, various stakeholders jointly organised the Composite Industry National Conference and Exhibition (CINCE) 2024, which was hosted by Ahmedabad University. This cooperation is intended to drive technological advancements and create new opportunities for research and development in composites.

The organisers of the Conference included Ahmedabad University, and the Composites Excellence Centre of Asia (CECA ASIA), Vadodara, Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA), Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar; Nirma University; Space Society of Mechanical Engineers (SSME), ISRO Ahmedabad; Navrachana University, Vadodara; Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), Gandhinagar; ASM International; and International Automobile Centre of Excellence (iACE), Gandhinagar.

“It is imperative to bring together multiple knowledge systems and people from different disciplines to identify solutions for complex real-life problems. The School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University is completely changing the way engineering education is conceptualised and executed”, said Professor Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor of Ahmedabad University, at the inauguration of the Conference. This imperative has defined the interdisciplinarity story being built at Ahmedabad University. Working with other leading institutions and organisations in the city, Ahmedabad University aims to contribute towards building one of the country’s strongest cluster around composites.

Faculty and researchers presented their R&D findings, and industry representatives presented their products and innovations. The participants also discussed the way forward for the composites industries as well as the role of advanced composites across diverse sectors in India. The Conference also included three panel discussions addressing, present challenges and future of lightweight composites, role of composites in mass transport, and role of young generation.

Recognising the importance of educating highly trained engineers in composites, the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Ahmedabad University has started a Master of Technology (MTech) programme with a specialisation in Composites from the academic year 2024-2025. This programme, being offered in partnership with Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association (ATIRA), aims to provide students comprehensive knowledge about designing, manufacturing, tooling, testing, supply chain, and quality assurance in the composites industry.

During CINCE 2024, Ahmedabad University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EPP Composites Pvt Ltd, to collaborate in research, design, development and education in composites along with the shared utilisation of facilities. EPP, a global multi-product group, is engaged in design, development, manufacturing and testing of composite products. The MoU also entails sponsorship of EPP engineers for pursuing MTech in Composites programme at the University; and joint supervision of PhD and MTech theses and projects.