European aerospace company Airbus has opened a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat. The focus of the CoE is on researching the conversion of municipal waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus stated that the CoE will prioritize research and development (R&D) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel and support student-led innovations in future aerospace technologies.
The Centre at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya aims to enhance India’s aerospace ecosystem through organic research, innovation, and talent development. Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya is known as India’s industry-driven university for the transportation and logistics sector. Prof. Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor of GSV, emphasized the university’s commitment to building highly skilled human capital and new technologies for the transportation and logistics sector.
The inauguration of the Centre is seen as a significant step towards realizing the shared mission for the growth of the aerospace sector in India. This initiative complements previous actions taken by Airbus, such as establishing the Airbus Chair Professorship and offering Airbus Scholarships. Airbus President and Managing Director for India and South Asia, Jürgen Westermeier, highlighted the Centre’s focus on developing technologies to convert Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The collaboration between Airbus and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya underscores Airbus’ dedication to research and innovation in groundbreaking technologies. It is aimed at empowering students with the necessary skills to drive overall ecosystem development. This partnership also aligns with India’s circular economy goals and Airbus’ commitment to reducing carbon emissions in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
