BITS Pilani Launches India’s First Automotive Competency Centre in Chennai | WILP Initiative

Chennai, February 2026: BITS Pilani, through its Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP), has inaugurated its Automotive Competency Centre (ACC) in Chennai — a state-of-the-art facility aimed at strengthening industry–academia collaboration and accelerating innovation in automotive and mobility systems.

Conceived as an integrated ecosystem, ACC Chennai combines experiential learning, organizational problem-solving, applied research, faculty development, and industry engagement. The Centre will enable working professionals, students, employers, and faculty members to collaboratively address real-world engineering challenges, thereby advancing India’s capabilities in next-generation mobility and smart manufacturing. As it evolves, the Centre also aims to support MSMEs in solving industry-specific problems and building technical capabilities among aspiring engineers.

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This initiative marks the first in a planned series of Competency Centres that BITS Pilani intends to establish in 2026, focusing on emerging technology domains aligned with national priorities and industry needs.

Cutting-Edge Infrastructure and Learning Ecosystem:

ACC Chennai offers hands-on exposure to advanced automotive technologies through structured immersions, industry-linked projects, and capability development programmes. The facility is equipped with modern laboratories and simulation environments supporting:

• Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) development
• E-Mobility systems
• Automotive embedded systems
• Diagnostics and validation
• Functional safety and automotive cybersecurity

By fostering applied research, rapid prototyping, and collaborative problem-solving, the Centre is poised to become a hub for innovation and talent development. It strengthens the connection between academic learning and industry requirements while preparing a globally competitive workforce.

Chennai was selected as the inaugural location due to its robust automotive manufacturing ecosystem and the presence of leading mobility companies, making it an ideal environment for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Leadership Perspective

Speaking at the inauguration, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, stated that the Centre represents a transformative step in bridging academic excellence with industry needs. He emphasized that ACC Chennai will nurture globally competitive talent while supporting innovation that addresses the evolving needs of industries and MSMEs.

Prof. G. Sundar, Director – WILP Division, added that Chennai is the first city in a planned series of Competency Centres. He highlighted that ACC Chennai has been designed to combine academic rigor with practical capability, enabling learners to develop implementable solutions and contribute to India’s advanced manufacturing vision.

The Automotive Competency Centre was inaugurated in the presence of senior leadership from BITS Pilani and distinguished industry leaders from leading mobility and automotive organizations, reinforcing its stature as a strategic initiative to strengthen industry–academia collaboration and build future-ready competencies in the automotive sector.

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