Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) based Amrita
University, a premier institution of higher learning in India, has inaugurated
the Amrita Automotive Research & Technology Centre (AARTC), a joint venture
between Amrita University and Automotive Test Systems. The Rs 15 crore facility
was established in the university headquarters at Coimbatore and was
inaugurated by Dr. K. Tamilmani, Director General, Aeronautical Systems, DRDO
and the Guest of Honour Ms. Rashmi Urdhwarshe, Director, ARAI Pune.
The centre will assist the
automotive industry in areas like vehicle evaluation, vehicle cooling and HVAC
Studies, Road Load Data Acquisition, Emission, Simulation – Structural and CFD,
Multi body dynamics etc. AARTC along with graduates will also support the M
Tech and PhD Students to use this facility for Applied Research and other
sustainable technology researches.
Besides building a close rapport
with the automotive industry, AARTC will facilitate the Doctoral and
Postgraduate students of the university to gain hands -on experience by giving
them an opportunity to participate in live research projects aimed at
developing technologies for the government and industry as well.
Prof. Parameswaran, Director –
Corporate & Industry Relations stated that “The Amrita Automotive Research
and Technology Centre (AARTC) is a clear manifestation of the university’s
focus on research and innovation that would enhance the quality of teaching and
learning experience of faculty, researchers and students. The Centre would also enable the automotive
industry to get valuable data on their products and facilitate decision-making
on performance and target improvements.
On the whole, an excellent initiative from the Department of Mechanical
Engineering”
In its first phase, a 4000 sq. m
building has been completed with complete infrastructure for Vehicle
Evaluation, Engine Testing and Development and basic NVH facilities. The second
phase that is scheduled to be complete by the year end will cover a
Hemi-Anechoic room, Reverberation rooms, Listening Studio and complete NVH
facilities.
Dr. K. Tamilmani lauded the
efforts of the Amrita University for being a great source for producing talents
that is helping India to achieve technological leadership.
Ms. Urdhwarshe said the creation
of the right research environment in an university is a great step. The
facility has a great potential to work in the areas of environment, road safety
and energy efficiency. She also agreed to extend full support from ARAI, Pune.
Dr. Venkat Rangan, Vice
chancellor stated, “Automotive Systems is of immense importance to people of
all walks of life in all parts of the world. Our Amrita Centre aims to impart
state of the art learning and research to aspiring students, transforming them
to brilliant engineers for industry and scientists for academia. Our Chancellor
and world renowned humanitarian leader, AMMA, gives particular importance to
transportation solutions that preserve the purity and safety of our living
planet for future generations. It is our wish that the Centre comes up with
several breakthrough innovations in this regard. The students are encouraged to
participate in research projects right from their second year apart from their
final year projects.”
He added that Amrita is set to
launch dual specialisation courses with a package of electives with major &
minor options starting next academic year. Dr. Venkat Rangan, Vice chancellor
also spoke about the live-in labs where students get to stay for two-months in
rural villages every summer and come up with solutions for practical problems
involving inter-disciplinary researches.
Ramanathan, Managing Partner,
Automated Test Systems well appreciated the efforts of Amrita in supporting a
great and fruitful Industry-Academia Initiative and promised to extend full
support in making the AARTC the most sought after research centre in
world.
Sasangan Ramanathan, Dean
Engineering, highlighted that Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is extremely excited
in setting up AARTC, and being able to provide high quality research driven
initiatives in developing greener technologies in India
Dr. Thirumalini, Head of the
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Prof. S. Raju, Advisor AARTC envisage
that this facility will be in the forefront to nurture creativity and talent
and provide the right ambience for disruptive technologies to evolve.