Photo ; Representatives from IIT Madras and Hero MotoCorp holding the MoU that was signed to foster collaboration between the two organizations
CHENNAI, 26th September 2025: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Hero MotoCorp (HMCL), the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate across multiple areas of research, education, and employee upskilling, strengthening the industry–academia partnership for future mobility solutions.
The MoU signing ceremony witnessed the presence of senior leadership from Hero MotoCorp, including Mr. Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director, Acting CEO and CTO, Mr. Anuj Dua, Head of Global Product Planning, Ms. Jyoti Singh, Deputy CHRO, Mr. Ananda Reddy, Divisional Head – Advanced Engineering & Technology, Mr. Rajat Kapoor, Section Head – Innovation & Upcoming Mobility, and Mr. Manish Singhal, Lead – Academia Partnerships.
Representing IIT Madras were Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, and Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research). Their participation highlighted the importance of this strategic collaboration between academia and industry in shaping the future of mobility.
Speaking on the partnership, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Industry-academia partnerships have been one of our key areas of focus at IIT Madras. It is imperative that these two key pillars of our economy work together to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat 2047. Our partnership with Hero MotoCorp is a step forward in this direction, and I am confident that the scholarships, industry exposure, and specialized courses under this strategic agreement will play a pivotal role in advancing mobility research and development in India.”
Further, Mr Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director, Acting CEO and CTO, Hero MotoCorp, lauded the partnership and said “A strong Nation is built when academia and industries work together. For India to lead globally, this partnership is essential. At Hero MotoCorp, we believe in this and are putting it into action. We are proud to partner with IIT Madras, a world-class institute in innovation. Together, we will focus on future technologies like multi-energy propulsion, new battery materials, and electric mobility, while using AI and Generative AI to improve product development. This collaboration supports Atmanirbhar Bharat — a self-reliant India. By developing these technologies at home, we are building a stronger nation and shaping the future of mobility.”
Under this collaboration, HMCL and IIT Madras will partner to promote the following strategic areas for industry academia collaboration:
- Doctoral Scholarships: HMCL will explore instituting scholarships for research scholars of IIT Madras to offer strategic support for cutting-edge research projects.
- Industry Exposure: HMCL will offer relevant industry projects to students of IIT Madras to give them hands-on experience and insights into crucial industry practices.
- Degree Programs for HMCL employees: IIT Madras will offer degree programs, including MTech and PhD, tailored for HMCL employees.
- Upskilling and Short-term courses: IIT Madras will offer specialized short-term programs to upskill HMCL employees in critical areas of Electric Vehicle Development, Battery Cell Technology, Motor & Controllers, and Vehicle Dynamics, etc.
Joint research projects of mutual interest, technology transfer and CSR initiatives would be other possible opportunities to explore between the two parties
Click Here for More Latest News