As a significant step towards fostering collaboration between industry and academia in the country, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has entered into a partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT-M) and Anna University (AU) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to facilitate enterprise solutions for start-ups and international training, aligning with the Digital India vision of the government.
The press note emphasizes BSNL’s commitment to fostering technological growth and educational excellence through collaboration with key players in the academic domain. It also highlights the substantial revenue potential in the sector, which is experiencing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10 percent in India. The partnership focuses on enhancing the technological skills and capabilities of students and young individuals.
As part of the MoU, IITM, in collaboration with BSNL, introduces a one-year international course in course design and delivery. This course serves as a platform for students and young professionals, both in India and abroad, to enhance their knowledge and skills in cutting-edge telecom technology and management, thereby improving their employability and career growth.
During the event, the Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL and MTNL, Pravin Kumar Purwar, formalized the collaborations by exchanging Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key representatives, including V Kamakoti, Director of IITM, R Velraj, Vice Chancellor of Anna University, and MJ Shankar Raman, CEO of Pravartak, a startup from IITM.
The MoU also introduces short-term telecom technology courses (STTC) to bridge the gap between industry and academia. These courses, in addition to being offered at AU campuses in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, and Nagercoil, will be extended to approximately 450 AU-affiliated/constituent colleges in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, the press note mentions the expansion of 4G and 5G networks to cover IIT-Madras and AU campuses, with the intention to extend connectivity to the remaining 450 colleges.
