Pune is renowned as the automobile and transport hub, as evidenced by the situation of a seminal institution such as the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) in the city. CIRT was established in 1967 on the joint initiative of the Ministry of Shipping & Transport & the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings, with a view to improve the efficiency and productivity of the transport sector. The Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIMN) is a designated Institution of National Importance that aims to be a leading management institution that shapes management systems, policy and governance through high-quality education, research and industry engagement.
A collaboration between IIMN and CIRT presents opportunities to build competencies and generate industry-oriented knowledge in transport management. To this end, IIM Nagpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CIRT in a hybrid ceremony on Thursday. The MoU was signed in presence of Hon’ble Shri Nitin Gadkari ji (Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways; and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and Shri CP Gurnani (CEO & MD, Tech Mahindra and Chairman, IIMN Board of Governors), by Dr Bhimaraya Metri (Director, IIM Nagpur) and Capt. (Dr) Rajendra B. Saner Patil (Director, CIRT).
On this occasion, Dr Bhimaraya Metri (Director, IIM Nagpur) said, “Collaboration and cooperation between IIMN and CIRT will open up new doors for development of the automobile hub of the country, particularly in the transport sector. The coming together of these two institutions in a digital disruptive world will play a significant role in shaping the talent by adding new-generation skills and consequently act as catalyst for the growth of the region, as well as the entire state of Maharashtra.”
Shri Vaibhav Dange (Advisor, National Highways Authority of India, and Member, IIMN Board of Governors), said at the occasion, “This MoU paves way for top-notch research and consultancy engagements which will not only help realise the vision and mission of both the institutes, but also enrich the techno-managerial ecosystem of this region, and the state as a whole. This MoU unlocks the potential for collaborative growth in technical and managerial capabilities between Pune, an established automobile hub and Nagpur, the logistics hub and centre of the country.”
On the occasion, Capt. (Dr) Rajendra B Saner Patil, Director, CIRT said “This is a golden opportunity for IIM Nagpur and CIRT, Pune in achieving their endeavours. The collaboration of IIM Nagpur and CIRT, Pune will play a key role for the stakeholders in the Road Transport arena. The collaboration with IIM Nagpur for conducting short-term executive education programmes, long-term education programmes, research collaboration, and faculty development programmes is bound to result in building competency and generating industry[1]oriented knowledge in vehicle and transport engineering and transport management. The collaboration will also support in achieving the “Vision Zero” goal in road safety”.
Shri CP Gurnani (CEO & MD, Tech Mahindra and Chairman, IIMN Board of Governors), congratulated the signatories. He said, “I’m extremely thrilled about this partnership between IIM Nagpur and CIRT. Transportation and mobility is at the tip of disruption with new technology such as EV, autonomous driving, AI and ML. With these technological changes, our leaders of tomorrow will have to deal with very different ethical, sustainable and behavioral challenges. This is an opportunity to position ourselves to handle and shape the future of transportation and mobility, and ensure the very best practices are brought to the state and make it a model for the rest of the country.”
On this occasion Hon’ble Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises said “Signing of MoU by IIM Nagpur and CIRT, Pune ushers a new beginning in the area of Management and Vehicle Engineering.
While IIM Nagpur started its journey in 2015 and aims to create value-driven leaders, global managers, and entrepreneurs with strong conceptual foundations and analytical approach, CIRT established in 1967, a premier Institute in the Road Transport and Road Safety arena has been actively involved in creation of competent middle and top level managers of State Transport Undertakings (STUs) and Road Transport Officers from across the breadth and length of India.
The collaboration of both these renowned Institutes will now help to achieve the competency building of all the stakeholders from Road Transport and Industry. More significantly the collaboration of these two institutes will help the young managers and engineers in the very early stage of their careers for meeting various challenges. I congratulate both IIM Nagpur and CIRT, Pune for this historic milestone. I wish them all the best for their future endeavours.”
The MoU provides for research collaboration, executive training and other educational programmes for corporate and government professionals, as well as consultancy engagements between the two institutions.