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Ministry of Railways

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara, an Indian Railways subsidiary, and Airbus sign agreement for aerospace education and research

With a sole focus on the transportation and logistics sectors, GSV is a “first of its kind” university that aims to fulfill the mandate of the National Development Plans for railways, aviation, shipping, ports, highways, roads and waterways

Published: 05 JUL 2024 17:47 by PIB Delhi

Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara and Airbus today entered into a partnership to significantly strengthen the Indian aviation sector. Following the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed in September 2023, a final agreement was signed between Mr. Rémi Maillard (Chairman & Managing Director, AIRBUS India and South Asia) and Prof. Manoj Choudhary (Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya) at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and IT, who is also the Chief Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ravneet Singh, Minister of State for Railways, Ms. Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman and CEO, Railway Board, Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and senior officials of the Railway Board. The agreement includes a full scholarship programme for 40 GSV students for the entire duration of the programme, setting up of a Centre of Excellence at GSV, and also the position of Airbus Aviation Chair Professor at GSV. In addition, GSV and Airbus will collaborate on executive training for working professionals in the aviation sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Today is the transition from MoU to actual action. Congratulations to GSV and AIRBUS. Whatever was promised, it has been delivered, that is one of the greatest marks of Prime Minister Modi ji’s government. Again in the spirit of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas, as our Prime Minister says, there has to be development of aviation, highways, railways, road transport. Practically everything has to go hand in hand. We will continue to work with all in the spirit of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas. The reason for starting GSV was the need to have a focused and specialised institution which caters to all the transport sectors, we started with railways, gradually we moved to manufacturing, the next sector we have moved to is civil aviation, the next planned sector is Ministry of Shipping and Logistics. Again, we will start in a focused manner, one programme from that sector. Then we will move to other sectors in transport.”

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said, “I am happy to announce the signing of the MoU with Airbus. Civil aviation is the fastest growing sector in India. In the last ten years, the number of airports has almost doubled from 74 to 157 and the Udaan programme has put tier II and III cities on the aviation map. We will continue to take the mentorship of the Railways. The Ministry of Civil Aviation will fully cooperate and support Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya for the development of the aviation sector and GSV should be prepared to launch Masters and Ph.D. programmes.”

Shri Ravneet Singh addressed the gathering and congratulated GSV and AIRBUS for signing the MoU. He said that this initiative will lead to increased job creation and prevent brain drain from our country.

“This is a groundbreaking partnership between industry and academia that will support the development of a strong pipeline of professionals who will drive the future of the Indian transportation sector, especially aviation. It will be a unique success story of the Indian government’s Skill India program. As part of the agreement, we will provide job opportunities to 15,000 students in our supply chain in India,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia.

Prof. Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor – GSV emphasised, “This pioneering partnership with Airbus will significantly advance GSV’s vision to become an industry-driven and innovation-led university and will also define the template for industry-university collaboration in India. We are grateful to Airbus for their very significant contribution towards regular education as well as executive education programmes at GSV, which will enable the development of the aviation sector in India by creating excellent human resources, skills and cutting-edge research.”

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara was established by an Act of Parliament in 2022 with an objective to create best in class manpower and talent for the entire Transport and Logistics sector. This Central University is sponsored by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India and its first Chancellor is Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and IT.

With exclusive focus on the transportation and logistics sectors, GSV is a ‘first of its kind’ university that aims to fulfil the mandate of the National Development Plans (Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022) in the areas of railways, shipping, ports, highways, roads, waterways, aviation etc.

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VM/SK

(Release ID: 2031049)
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