IIT Guwahati, Danfoss partner to drive innovation in sustainable tech at InvenTiv 2025

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 28, 2025

In a major push for sustainable technology and industry-academia collaboration, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Danfoss Industries Private Limited at InvenTiv 2025, the Global Innovation Showcase hosted at IIT Madras on February 27.

The agreement was formalized in the presence of Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), alongside senior officials, academic leaders, and industry representatives. Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, and Ravichandran Purushothaman, Regional President of Danfoss India, signed the MoU, marking a pivotal step toward advancing sustainable engineering solutions.

The partnership focuses on cutting-edge research and development in Water Desalination Technologies, energy-efficient Industrial Heating & Cooling Solutions, Advanced Power Electronics & Drives and High-pressure Pump Systems.

To streamline these projects, a Center of Excellence (CoE) – Danfoss Solutions will be established at IIT Guwahati, fostering innovation, industry collaboration, and efficient project execution.

The collaboration extends beyond research, offering internships, collaborative projects, and training programs for students across B.Tech, M.Tech, MS, and PhD programs. Top-performing students will gain hands-on experience at Danfoss’s global facilities and may receive Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs).

Additionally, IIT Guwahati will partner with the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Danfoss to create a joint educational program, providing students with international exposure, industry-relevant curricula, and exchange opportunities.

Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, emphasized the institute’s commitment to bridging academia and industry for sustainable solutions: “This partnership aligns with IIT Guwahati’s vision of fostering innovation through research and industry engagement. By combining IITG’s expertise with Danfoss’s technological leadership, we aim to address global sustainability challenges while equipping students with future-ready skills.”

Ravichandran Purushothaman, Regional President, Danfoss India, highlighted the significance of industry-academia collaborations: “We are excited to work with IIT Guwahati, known for its pioneering research and academic excellence. This collaboration supports our mission to drive sustainable innovation in energy efficiency, water management, and climate technologies.”

Minister Dr. Sukanta Majumdar lauded the initiative, stressing the importance of industry-academia partnerships in regional and national development. He commended IIT Guwahati and Danfoss for pioneering research-driven collaborations that align with India’s sustainable growth agenda.

The MoU is valid for five years, with a scope for renewal and expansion into emerging fields like digital transformation, smart infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.