The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Warangal has partnered with Bajaj Auto Ltd. to establish a Bajaj Engineering Skill Training (BEST) Centre on its campus in Hanamkonda. The centre, funded with ₹13 crore from Bajaj Auto’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs. This collaboration makes NIT Warangal the first Centrally-funded technical institution (CFTI) to partner with Bajaj Auto on this project.
The BEST Centre is expected to be operational by December this year or by June next year. The centre will focus on upskilling engineering graduates and improving their employability. It will serve as a hub for innovation, training, and applied research, with the potential to become a model for skill development across India. The programme is structured around six key verticals in advanced technologies, with the first phase launching two verticals: Firmware Development and E-Mobility.
These verticals are crucial to the future of electronics and electrical engineering. NIT Warangal director Bidyadhar Subudhi noted that the institution is the first among all NITs in India to start this programme. The BEST programme has already been integrated into the existing B.Tech programmes in ECE and Electrical Engineering. Students enrolled in these programmes will receive joint certification from Bajaj Auto Ltd. and NIT-Warangal, which will add significant industry recognition to their NIT degree.
Bajaj Auto Ltd. will fully sponsor all equipment and laboratory infrastructure required for these specialised verticals, ensuring that students have access to state-of-the-art facilities for practical and immersive learning. The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by NIT Warangal director Bidyadhar Subudhi and Bajaj Auto vice-president Sudhakar Gudipati. The presence of Head of BEST, T. Kishore Kumar, marked the significance of this collaboration. This initiative is expected to enhance the skills and employability of engineering graduates, making them industry-ready.