Jindal Steel and IIT Hyderabad to Establish Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Advanced Steel Solutions

• Centre to combine IITH’s technical capabilities with Jindal Steel’s manufacturing, metallurgical and engineering expertise.
• Focus on applications across infrastructure, construction, defence, power, transportation and heavy engineering.
• Centre to support application development, technical demonstrations, training, industry engagement and knowledge sharing.

Jindal Steel, one of India’s leading steel manufacturers, and the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Jindal Steel Centre of Excellence (CoE) for High-Strength, Value-Added and Value-Engineered Steel Products and Solutions at the IIT Hyderabad campus.

The first-of-its-kind Centre will accelerate the application and adoption of advanced steel solutions across infrastructure, engineering, construction and strategic industrial sectors. The Centre will combine IITH’s technical capabilities with Jindal Steel’s manufacturing, metallurgical and engineering expertise to develop and demonstrate applications for high-strength, value-added and value-engineered steels. These solutions are aimed at offering higher performance, lower material consumption, reduced weight, faster execution, improved durability and better lifecycle economics.

The applications will span buildings and bridges, penstocks and large-diameter pipes, defence, yellow goods and heavy equipment, power plants, refineries, transportation, heavy engineering and other critical industrial applications. The Centre will work with designers, consultants, engineers, fabricators, EPC companies, equipment manufacturers and project developers to identify applications and facilitate the adoption of advanced steel grades.

Jindal Steel will invest in developing a physical Centre of Excellence (CoE)at the IIT Hyderabad campus, which will serve as a hub for application development, technical demonstrations, training, industry engagement and knowledge sharing.

Speaking on the partnership, Prof. B S Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, said “This Centre of Excellence strengthens IITH’s role in promoting advanced steel solutions across India’s engineering, infrastructure and industrial sectors. It will enable faculty and students to work closely with industry on real-world applications and demonstrate how high-strength and value-engineered steels can drive efficiency, performance and sustainability. We look forward to an impactful partnership with Jindal Steel."

Mr V R Sharma, Managing Director, Jindal Steel, said: “Partnering with IIT Hyderabad is a major step in expanding the use of high-strength and value-engineered steel across India’s infrastructure, engineering and industrial sectors. By combining IITH’s technical capabilities with Jindal Steel’s manufacturing, metallurgical and engineering expertise, the Centre will demonstrate solutions that are stronger, lighter, faster and more efficient across a wide range of applications. Our goal is to accelerate their adoption in real-world projects.

The partnership will include application development programmes, workshops, symposia, industry-academia training, demonstration projects, student internships and placements, academic modules and industry engagement initiatives. The Centre will also engage with industry stakeholders, government agencies and end users to support technical evaluation and enable the adoption of advanced steel solutions at scale.

About Jindal Steel:

Jindal Steel is one of India’s foremost integrated steel producers, renowned for its scale, efficiency, and commitment to excellence. Operating on a robust mine-to-metal model, the Company leverages captive resources, Advanced Manufacturing capabilities, and a global distribution network to deliver high-performance steel solutions.

With an investment footprint exceeding USD 12 billion, Jindal Steel runs state-of-the-art facilities in Angul, Raigarh, and Patratu, and maintains strategic operations across India and Africa. Its diversified and future-ready product portfolio underpins core sectors such as infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing, powering progress through strength and sustainability.

About IITH:

IITH, established in 2008, has reached a respectable position in academics, research, technology development, and Start-ups in a short span of 17+ years. In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF-2025), IITH is ranked 7th among Engineering institutes (crossing a first-generation IIT this year), and is ranked 6th in Innovation, while it has maintained its rank within the top 10 Engineering Institutes ever since NIRF was launched. IITH is ranked 588th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 270th in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026 (123rd globally in citations per faculty). IITH has recorded a major leap in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, entering the global Top 400 in Engineering & Technology with a rank of 395, marking a sharp improvement from the 501–550 band in 2025. IITH secured 46 positions by 31 faculties in the Stanford /Elsevier Global Top 2% Scientists list 2025 across two categories. IITH has been striving for excellence with its vision of "Inventing & Innovating in Technology for Humanity," guided by its newly adopted Sanskrit Motto, "नवोन्मेषेण देशनिर्माणम्" (Nation Building through Innovation).

With 350+ full-time Faculty, 350+ non-teaching Staff and 6140+ Students (PG+PhD students accounting for about 60%), IITH has a strong research focus with 5830+ R&D Projects worth of Rs. 1845+ Cr (Rs. 245+ Cr funding in 2025-26), 14,040+ Publications, 2,85,210+ Citations, 165 h-index, 790+ Patents, 400+ granted patents (250 Patents in 2025, i.e., almost a patent on every working day in 2025), and about 300 Start-ups (that have generated 1100+ jobs with a revenue of Rs. 1500+ Cr).

The thrust areas of research at IITH are: Next-Generation Telecommunications, Autonomous Navigation, Robotics & Intelligent systems, Semiconductors & Devices, Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals, Materials characterisation, Catalysis, Healthcare, Energy, Sustainability, Climate Change, Smart Mobility, EV technology, Quantum technologies, Nuclear Energy, Computational Engineering, Design, AR/VR, Waste management, and Rural development. 

How Senior Management Programs Help Experienced Professionals Transition into Leadership Roles

There comes a stage when people's technical abilities on their own are insufficient for progressing in their careers. When the amount of work increases, companies expect managers to inspire teams, influence business plans and lead changes. Senior management programmes address this gap by combining leadership concepts with business knowledge. They enable individuals to gain confidence, broaden their perspectives and prepare themselves for positions within the company. The article outlines how these programmes assist people in entering leadership roles and what one should consider when selecting a programme.

Why Leadership Needs More Than Experience

Years of experience lead to an accumulation of knowledge in a particular field, but in order to be an effective leader one must also have good communication skills, be able to think ahead, have a sense of others' feelings, understand financial matters and know how to make decisions. Effective leaders assist their teams in achieving the company's objectives, cope with unforeseen circumstances and influence people in various parts of the company. Learning through guidance enables people to acquire these skills by means of examples, talks and actual tasks.

Core Benefits

Individuals become better at thinking, at solving problems, at dealing with important people, at coming up with new ideas and at leading change. They also learn how to manage their work and achieve long-term objectives while at the same time feeling confident about making major decisions.

Developing View

The course provides students with knowledge in the areas of money, selling, employment, and new technology. Since structured leadership education, such as the IIM Nagpur Senior Management Program enables experienced professionals to consider business matters beyond their own area of expertise, many individuals find such programs valuable for broadening their managerial perspective.
Learning Through Real Business Problems

Talking in business games and using examples from the industry enable people to consider different situations and make sensible decisions. Learning from people in other fields broadens one's perspective and improves the ability to work with others.
Building Leadership Presence

Leadership involves influencing people rather than merely carrying out tasks, and programs enable people to develop their skills in the areas of communication, deal-making, teaching, problem-solving, and appearing to be a leader through practical learning and by reflecting on their own actions.

Choosing the Right Program

When you are choosing a programme, consider whether the lessons suit you, the quality of the teachers, the opportunity to meet other students, the flexibility it offers, what previous students have said, and the way it teaches. Many people also look at programmes such as the IIM Calcutta Senior Management Programme after having seen how well the lessons match their own leadership goals.
Practical Tips

Start using those ideas at work, ask for tasks that involve different people, find a teacher, improve your ability to talk like a leader, and keep seeking out people's opinions. Regular practice helps leadership skills to grow more quickly.

Conclusion

The journey towards taking on a leadership role has no final destination, as it doesn't stop with a single promotion. Senior management programmes provide individuals with the way of thinking, leadership skills and a better understanding of business that is necessary for success in top positions. After class they promote the idea of working with others, thinking together and applying what has been learned in real work situations. Those who make use of ideas, ask for feedback and continue to learn are more capable of leading teams, managing change and helping the company to perform well in the long term. Putting in the time to invest in leadership training now can improve job opportunities in the future and allow people to make a real difference in their companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who ought to attend a management program?

Those people who have a great deal of work experience and who wish to take up level or strategic positions receive the most assistance; the schemes are particularly useful for managers who lead teams, sections of a business or business changes.

What contribution do these programs make to leadership skills?

They combine real business examples with ideas about leadership that are developed by people who are learning together, and involve teachers helping to enhance thinking, discussion, decision-making, and the management of people. Such things are important in leadership positions.

Can the working class carry out these programs?

Certainly. A number of these courses offer classes at times which allow people to retain their jobs as they are studying. That's a good arrangement. By remaining involved one can get the most out of the learning process.

Before selecting a program, what ought people to consider?

Check whether the lessons are of good quality, if the teachers have the necessary knowledge, whether the group of people is suitable, if it aligns with the industry, and if there is a chance to put what you've learned into practice. The program should correspond with their career plans.

Do senior management programs guarantee promotions?

It is not possible for any programme to promise an increase in position; instead, they enable people to develop stronger leadership abilities by thinking ahead and feeling confident, which in turn makes them ready for leadership opportunities.

Tata Motors, Drivn Partner to Accelerate EV Fleet Adoption with Custom Leasing Solutions

The partnership will offer customised leasing solutions to speed up EV adoption across commercial fleets

Drivn, an EV leasing platform focused on heavy commercial fleets has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, to explore leasing-based deployment of electric commercial vehicles in India for fleet operators. Under this partnership, Drivn will offer customised leasing solutions for Tata Motors’ electric commercial vehicle portfolio, enabling fleet operators to transition to electric vehicles through simpler and customised financing solutions.

Drivn offers bespoke operating lease solutions tailored to commercial fleet operators. By bridging long-standing gaps across financing, deployment and charging infrastructure, it is helping make the shift to electric simpler and more practical, accelerating fleet electrification across India.

Tata Motors is leading the commercial mobility transition with the widest electric CV portfolio and an ecosystem that makes electrification both practical and profitable. The company works closely with fleet owners to optimise performance, uptime, charging and financing across the lifecycle. As adoption deepens, Tata Motors remains focused on delivering end-to-end solutions that help customers transition confidently to zero-emission mobility.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Vice President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “Tata Motors is committed to democratising clean mobility and accelerating India’s transition towards sustainable transportation. Together with Drivn, we aim to make electric trucks more accessible to our customers. Our electric trucks portfolio has been engineered to deliver performance, reliability and operating economics that meet the evolving needs of our customers, while helping them confidently transition to zero-emission technologies.”

Manav Bansal, CEO and Co-founder of Drivn, said, “Making electric fleets commercially viable is key to driving adoption at scale. While there is growing interest from operators, the shift ultimately depends on how practical and accessible these solutions are. Partnering with Tata Motors allows us to combine a strong vehicle portfolio with our leasing model, addressing key barriers such as upfront costs and deployment timelines. Through this partnership, we intend to deploy over 1,000 electric trucks over the next two years, offering fleet operators a clearer and more scalable path to electrification while contributing to the broader growth of the EV ecosystem in India.”

Alpna Jain, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Drivn, said, “Electric fleet adoption scales when the right ecosystem comes together for support. With Tata Motors’ strong market presence, fleet operators gain trust and access as we are getting the elements of maintenance of vehicles, uptime as a joint commitment from OEM and combining technology to monitor efficiencies.”

Tata Motors continues to lead the nation’s electric commercial vehicle transition with a robust portfolio. The company newly-introduced a comprehensive portfolio of electric trucks ranging from 7 to 55 tonnes, built on the new I‑MOEV (Intelligent Modular Electric Vehicle) Architecture under the Tata Trucks.ev brand. Engineered for sustainable, efficient and high‑performance operations, these trucks address a wide spectrum of applications including e‑commerce logistics, construction material movement and port operations. Backed by the rapidly growing EV charging infrastructure and a nationwide service network, Tata Motors remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing sustainable mobility and strengthening India’s green transportation ecosystem.

About Drivn:

Drivn is building India’s operational and financial backbone for commercial electric mobility. The company acquires, owns, and leases electric buses and trucks, supported by an integrated tech stack model that includes planning charging infrastructure, battery lifecycle management, fleet operations, and end-of-life solutions. Its OEM-agnostic approach is purpose-built for intercity transport operators, logistics providers, and asset-intensive industries transitioning to electric fleets at scale.

Backed by global institutional investors, Drivn combines institutional capital with deep tech capability. Its proprietary platform and on-ground operating data better asset utilisation, efficiency, and performance that large fleets demand, supporting customers across sectors such as intercity bus transportation, logistics, ecommerce, cement, and steel.

About Tata Motors Ltd (Formerly TML Commercial Vehicles Ltd):

Part of the USD 180 billion Tata Group, Tata Motors Ltd., (BSE: Scrip code 544569; NSE: Scrip code TMCV) is India’s largest and a globally renowned manufacturer of utility vehicles, pick-ups, trucks, and buses. With over eight decades of leadership in commercial mobility, the company is known for its innovation, reliability, and performance. Its advanced powertrains, connected technologies, and intelligent fleet solutions support a wide range of applications—from last-mile delivery to public transport while seamlessly driving the wheels of the nation’s economy. Guided by its brand promise Better Always, Tata Motors delivers future-ready solutions that enhance customer experience and drive sustainable growth. The company operates in India and South Korea, with a global presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and SAARC countries.

As per the Composite Scheme of Arrangement sanctioned by the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench—amongst Tata Motors Limited, TML Commercial Vehicles Limited (the Company) and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited—the Company’s name was changed to Tata Motors Limited from TML Commercial Vehicles Limited (effective 29 October 2025), and its equity shares are listed on the BSE Ltd and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.

Khyber Aquaculture Partners with J&K Government to Modernise Trout Farming

Progressive farmers trained in sustainable aquaculture and fish health management

Khyber Aquaculture, in partnership with the Jammu & Kashmir Department of Fisheries, has launched a specialised training programme to equip local trout farmers with modern, sustainable aquaculture practices. The initiative, part of the Project No 22 Implementation of Trout Cluster Programme covering Ganderbal and Anantnag, under Holistic Agriculture Development Plan (HADP) designed to transform traditional trout farming into a more scientific, efficient, and resilient industry.

The training brought together progressive farmers from Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Srinagar for an intensive session on “Sustainable Trout Aquaculture and Fish Health Management.” Experts guided participants through practical modules on biosecurity, water-quality management, responsible aquaculture, early disease detection, and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). A key focus was shifting from reactive treatment of fish diseases to proactive prevention - emphasising routine water monitoring, stress reduction, and early warning systems to safeguard fish health.

The interactive format also allowed farmers to share real-world challenges and explore practical solutions to improve survival rates, growth, and overall farm efficiency.

Mr Umar Tramboo, CMD, Khyber Aquaculture stated “Capacity building is the cornerstone of a resilient trout sector. By fostering collaboration between farmers, government institutions, and technical experts, we can build a sustainable cold-water aquaculture ecosystem that supports livelihoods, food security, and rural enterprise development in Jammu & Kashmir.”

With its natural mountain conditions, Jammu & Kashmir is uniquely positioned to become a hub for cold-water trout production. By equipping farmers with modern scientific tools, this initiative aims to boost productivity, strengthen value chains, and create new opportunities for rural communities.

This effort reflects Khyber Aquaculture’s broader vision to advance India’s cold-water fisheries sector through innovation, robust biosecurity systems, and internationally aligned best practices - ultimately positioning India on the global trout and salmon aquaculture map.

About Khyber Aquaculture

Khyber Aquaculture is a leading player in cold-water fisheries business. Founded in 2022, Khyber Himalayan Trout brings premium, nutrient-rich trout from the pristine Himalayan mountain waters of Kashmir. The company integrates scientific farming practices, modern infrastructure, and environmental stewardship to deliver premium-quality aquaculture products for domestic and international markets. For further details please visit www.khyberaquaculture.com

World of Microbiome 2026: Bengaluru Conference by Leucine Rich Bio on Precision Nutrition, Clinical Innovation, and Global Microbiome Trends

Third edition of the pioneering conference by Leucine Rich Bio to explore microbiota in health, precision nutrition, clinical innovation and global trends

Leucine Rich Bio Pvt Ltd, South Asia’s first microbiome company and the force behind the BugSpeaks brand, will host the 3rd edition of World of Microbiome 2026 on 21 August 2026 at Hotel GreenPark, Bengaluru. The one-day flagship conference will bring together clinicians, researchers, nutritionists, biotech leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and wellness professionals to advance microbiome science and its applications in preventive healthcare and precision wellness.

Building on the success of previous editions, the 2026 event will feature focused sessions on microbiota in health and wellness, intellectual property and clinical trials in the wellness domain, and precision nutrition and the microbiome. Panel discussions will examine enablers of next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics as well as microbiome trends outside India. The schedule of the event is from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm and will consist of inauguration, presentations by experts, networking sessions, and a quiz for the participants.

The list of confirmed speakers include : Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Co-founder & Director, Leucine Rich Bio; Mr. Kumar Sankaran, Founder & CEO, BugSpeaks; Dr. Astha Agrawal; Dr. Yugandhar Reddy from Unilever India; Dr. Kiran Ambatipudi from IIT Roorkee; Dr. Lipika Sahoo; Dr. Mukul Maurya; Dt. Rohini Prasad of BugSpeaks; and other leading voices from clinical practice, industry and academia.

“World of Microbiome is not merely a conference but a platform which facilitates translation of microbiome research into clinical and wellness benefits in South Asia and beyond,” stated Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Co-Founder & Director, Leucine Rich Bio. “As we meet in the third edition of the conference, we look forward to furthering collaborations to expedite precision nutrition, diagnostics, and healthcare through the microbiomes of our communities.” Stated Mr Kumar Sankaran, Founder and CEO, Leucine Rich Bio Pvt Ltd. Mr Prabhath Manjappa, Co-founder and CPO opined “This is a platform that enables discussion around new age science of microbiome, AI in healthcare, precision healthcare etc”.

Conducted by Leucine Rich Bio, founders of the first clinically validated gut microbiome test in South Asia named BugSpeaks, the conference aims at continuing the vision of the company to facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration and practical applications of microbiome research. Leucine Rich Bio has a decade-long legacy of working alongside over 100 clinical and 50 industrial partners in 15+ countries around the world.

About Leucine Rich Bio

Leucine Rich Bio Pvt Ltd is South Asia’s pioneering microbiome company, headquartered in Bengaluru. Its flagship brand, BugSpeaks, offers advanced microbiome testing (gut, skin and expanding panels) powered by next-generation sequencing, proprietary algorithms and curated databases. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, NABL and NABH accreditations and has supported clinical research demonstrating the impact of microbiota-based personalised nutrition. Through initiatives such as World of Microbiome, Leucine Rich Bio advances scientific dialogue and practical applications in precision health and wellness.