IIT Palakkad’s IPTIF and ERAM Skills Academy Sign MoU to Launch Industry-Aligned Skilling Programs in Emerging Tech

In a major boost to industry-academia collaboration, the IIT Palakkad Technology IHub Foundation (IPTIF) and ERAM Skills Academy have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-deliver specialized, industry-aligned training programs in high-growth technology sectors. This strategic partnership will focus on building a future-ready talent pipeline in rapidly evolving domains, including Electric Vehicles (EVs), Solar Energy, Battery Technology, Drones, and Power Electronics, directly addressing the shifting demands of the modern workforce and boosting employment opportunities for technical learners.

As the flagship initiative of this partnership, IPTIF will host a recurring, monthly 5-day Electric Vehicle (EV) training programme at its advanced EV training facility established with the support of ICICI Foundation. The inaugural cohort will comprise participants from ERAM’s Automotive Skill Development Programme, who will gain direct hands-on industry exposure, practical technical competency, and clear career pathways into the automotive sector.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, Director of IIT Palakkad, and  Dr. Siddeek Ahamed, Chairman of ERAM Holdings. The event brought together key leadership from across academia and industry, including Dr. Vijay Muralidharan (Director, IPTIF), Dr. Saishyam Narayanan (CEO, IPTIF), Dr. Rijesh Krishna (COO, IPTIF), Mr. Midhu Unnithan (COO, TECHIN), Mr. Bijoy Devadas (Regional Director, Eram Holdings), Mr. Jacob Thomas (CEO, Eram Power Electronics), and Mr. Austin (General Manager, Eram Skills Academy).

Demonstrating immediate industry interest, regional representatives from Mahindra & Mahindra, including Mr. Vijith, RRCM, and Mr. Akarsh, also toured IPTIF’s advanced EV facility during the event. Their visit focused on exploring active industry engagement and structuring potential placement avenues for the program’s graduates, reinforcing a shared commitment to workforce development.

Established in 2020 by IIT Palakkad and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), IPTIF is at the forefront of driving innovation in Intelligent Collaborative Systems (ICS). This new alliance underscores a shared, long-term commitment to accelerating technological innovation and preparing Indian talent to lead the future of clean mobility and energy.