Schneider Electric has partnered with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to Smart City and Smart Factory technologies at the university’s Vellore campus, Nov. 24, 2025. The collaboration aims to accelerate innovation, research and skill development in fields crucial to India’s digital transformation and sustainable future.
The new CoE will begin with 1,100 students in its first batch, with plans for rapid expansion in the coming years. The initiative builds on more than three years of development and VIT’s distinction as the first Indian university to be recognized as a Schneider Electric Priority Campus, a recognition shared by only three institutions nationwide.
Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India and Managing Director & CEO of Schneider Electric India, said the partnership underscores the need to prepare India’s youth for technology-driven change. “As technology continues to redefine how we live and work, it is imperative to equip young talent with the right skills, mindset, and exposure to lead this transformation. Through this CoE, we aim to create a vibrant platform where ideas evolve into real-world applications—driving innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in domains that will shape the smart cities and industries of the future,” he said.
VIT, ranked among India’s top universities and home to more than 45,000 students, contributes a strong research ecosystem and academic excellence. The CoE will facilitate collaboration between students, faculty and Schneider Electric’s subject experts, bridging the gap between academia and industry-led innovation through real-world projects, prototype development and curriculum integration.
