Honeywell, IIT Bombay Set Up Sustainability Innovation Centre
In a significant move towards enhancing sustainability education in India, Honeywell has announced a partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to establish a new Centre of Excellence at the institute’s Powai campus. This initiative aims to skill over 100,000 students in sustainability-related fields by the year 2030.
Overview of the IITB-Honeywell Centre of Excellence
The IIT Bombay – Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills & Innovation (IITB-Honeywell CoE) will be fully funded by Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF), which is Honeywell’s philanthropic arm in India. The centre will provide advanced laboratory infrastructure, equipment procurement, curriculum design, and research and innovation grants.
Initial Phase and Curriculum Development
During its pilot phase, which is set to last for the next two months, the IITB-Honeywell CoE will focus on establishing core infrastructure, developing a specialized curriculum, and training an initial cohort of 250 students. The centre will offer certificate-based programs that include coursework and hands-on projects aligned with real-world sustainability challenges.
This initiative is expected to benefit undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students from across India. Following the pilot phase, the centre aims to engage nearly 20,000 students annually through its structured curriculum.
Addressing the Skills Gap in Sustainability
As India undergoes a digital transformation in its economy and critical sectors such as energy, there is a growing shortage of sustainability professionals equipped with cross-disciplinary, technology-driven skills. According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, India aims to create 3.4 million jobs in the green sector by 2030. Specifically, the renewable energy industry is projected to face a deficit of 1.2 million skilled workers, which could increase to 1.7 million by 2027, as reported by TeamLease.
Learning Tracks Offered
The IITB-Honeywell CoE will address the increasing demand for skilled sustainability professionals by offering a curriculum that combines classroom learning with applied research across five key learning tracks:
- Sustainability Reporting
- Sustainable Finance
- Energy Security
- Sustainability Infrastructure
- Policy Advocacy
Commitment to Building a Sustainable Future
“Skilling our workforce is central to building a future-ready and sustainable India. Our collaboration with IIT Bombay reinforces Honeywell’s commitment to developing high-quality talent across sustainability fields, as India accelerates growth through its AI-powered digital economy,” stated Ashish Modi, President of Honeywell India and Asia Pacific.
He emphasized that the new Centre of Excellence aligns with the digital transformation of India and aims to equip students with the necessary industrial skills to support long-term economic growth with sustainability at its core.
Course Structure and Mentorship
The course structure at the IITB-Honeywell CoE, applicable through 2030, mandates that each student complete 40 hours of training across the five learning tracks. The programming will be jointly delivered by faculty from IIT Bombay and industry specialists. Additionally, Honeywell employees will provide volunteer mentorship, technical guidance, and career-readiness training to the students.
Significance of the Partnership
“IIT Bombay has always emphasized translating academic excellence into societal impact,” said Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay. “The establishment of our Centre of Excellence with Honeywell strengthens that mission by providing students with experiential learning beyond the classroom, enabling them to engage meaningfully with real-world sustainability challenges that are critical to India’s future.”
Honeywell’s Skilling Initiative: Saksham
The partnership with IIT Bombay marks a significant milestone under Honeywell India’s flagship ‘Saksham’ skilling initiative. Through Saksham, STEM students across the nation are trained in various fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainability. The collaboration with IIT Bombay will specifically focus on sustainability-skilling through the IITB-Honeywell CoE.
Conclusion
The establishment of the IITB-Honeywell Centre of Excellence represents a proactive step towards addressing the urgent need for skilled professionals in sustainability. By combining academic rigor with practical experience, this initiative aims to empower the next generation of leaders in sustainability, ultimately contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for India.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest available data and may be subject to change as the initiative progresses.
