Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy and automation technologies, has joined hands with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) to set up a Centre of Excellence dedicated to Smart City and Smart Factory technologies at VIT’s Vellore campus. The new Centre is designed to accelerate research, innovation, and skill development in areas vital to India’s digital transformation and sustainability goals. Through this initiative, Schneider Electric aims to foster technical expertise among students and provide exposure to advanced solutions shaping future urban and industrial ecosystems. The inaugural cohort will include 1,100 students, with plans for significant expansion in the coming years.
The partnership builds on a long-standing association developed over the past three years, during which VIT became the first university in India to be recognized as a Schneider Electric Priority Campus on a global platform—an honour extended to only a select few institutions in the country.
Highlighting the importance of the collaboration, Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India and MD & CEO of Schneider Electric India, said the initiative will help equip young professionals with the skills and vision required to lead the next wave of technological change. He emphasized that the Centre of Excellence is envisioned as a dynamic space where industry and academia collaborate to transform ideas into practical applications, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in fields that will influence the future of smart cities and industrial automation.
Ranked among India’s top universities and home to more than 45,000 students, VIT contributes strong academic capabilities and an established research culture to the alliance. The Centre will act as a hub for joint projects, prototype creation, curriculum enrichment, and hands-on learning, creating a seamless connection between classroom education and industry-driven innovation.
Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy management and automation, focused on boosting efficiency and sustainability by advancing electrification, automation, and digital transformation across industries, businesses, and homes. Its technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and power grids to function as integrated, intelligent ecosystems that enhance reliability, performance, and environmental responsibility. The company’s broad portfolio spans smart devices, software-driven architectures, AI-enabled systems, digital services, and strategic consulting. With a workforce of 160,000 people and a network of over 1 million partners in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric is consistently recognized as one of the world’s most sustainable companies.
