December 9, 2024: The Centre of Research Excellence for National Security (CRENS) at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with T-Works, India’s largest prototyping center, to foster innovation and collaboration in national security. The MoU was formalized in a special ceremony held at the Telangana State Government Secretariat, graced by the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Sri Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Esteemed Special Chief Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Sri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, and Deputy Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Sri Bhavesh Mishra, IAS.
The MoU was signed by Sri Joginder Tanikella, CEO of T-Works, and Prof. Sri Soumyo Mukherji, Director of BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus. Prof. M Rama Manohara Babu, Head of CRENS and Prof Amrita Priyadarshini, Associate Head of CRENS, from BITS Hyderabad also marked the occasion with his presence.
This partnership marks a significant step toward translating cutting-edge research into tangible solutions for national security. CRENS, established to advance indigenous technology development in national security, will leverage T-Works’ world-class prototyping capabilities to transform academic innovations into impactful products.
Five Pillars of Collaboration
The MoU outlines the following key areas of collaboration:
1. Research and Development:
Joint efforts will focus on addressing national security challenges through innovative solutions, engaging with key organizations, and advancing projects across various Technology Readiness Levels.
2. Skill Development:
Programs such as innovation boot camps, certification courses, and workshops will equip entrepreneurs with the technical and business acumen required to scale their ventures successfully.
3. Mentorship and Advisory:
A robust mentorship ecosystem will provide expert guidance on technology and business strategies, with advisory boards formed to support startups in their growth journey.
4. Industry Collaborations:
Both institutions will work closely with industries to test, validate, and transfer mature technologies for production and deployment in the national security sector.
5. Resource Sharing:
By sharing infrastructure, expertise, and facilities, this collaboration will foster a dynamic ecosystem where faculty, researchers, and startups can collaborate with national security organizations and industry partners.
Strengthening National Security Innovation
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sri Soumyo Mukherji remarked, “This MoU symbolizes the synergy between academia and industry. With T-Works’ advanced prototyping capabilities, CRENS is poised to transform its research into meaningful, scalable solutions for India’s national security framework.”
Sri Joginder Tanikella, CEO of T-Works, expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing that this collaboration aligns with T-Works’ vision of supporting startups and innovators to develop products that address critical national needs.
