Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), in collaboration with Airbus, has launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to aerospace studies at its Vadodara campus in Gujarat. GSV is India’s first industry-focused central university serving the transportation and logistics sectors.
The newly established Centre represents a key step in the ongoing partnership between Airbus and GSV, aimed at strengthening India’s aerospace landscape through focused research, technological innovation, and capacity building. The CoE will concentrate on research and development in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and will actively encourage student-driven projects in next-generation aerospace technologies.
First announced in 2024, the Centre was formally inaugurated by Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia. The event was attended by Her Highness Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, Member of the Court of GSV, and Prof (Dr) Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Westermeier said that the Centre reflects Airbus’ long-term commitment to building a strong aerospace ecosystem in India. He noted that the CoE will focus on applied research and innovation, including advanced solutions such as converting municipal solid waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel. He added that the initiative will equip students with industry-relevant skills and contribute to India’s future aviation growth while supporting the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat objectives.
Prof (Dr) Manoj Choudhary highlighted that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chancellor Ashwini Vaishnaw, GSV is translating industry-aligned and innovation-driven goals into concrete outcomes. He described Airbus as a pioneering partner in creating a model industry–academia collaboration that is now being viewed as a benchmark nationwide. The CoE, he said, builds on earlier initiatives such as the Airbus Chair Professorship and Airbus Scholarship programmes, and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of an integrated, whole-sector approach to national development leading toward Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Since 2024, Airbus and GSV have developed a comprehensive partnership to support the growth of a fully integrated aerospace ecosystem in India. This includes a scholarship programme supporting 45 deserving students from economically weaker backgrounds, with one-third of the scholarships allocated to women. To further strengthen academic leadership, Airbus has instituted a Chair Professorship in Aerospace Studies at GSV, supporting undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education programmes.
The collaboration also extends to advanced research through a Joint Study Agreement focused on sustainable aviation solutions. Under this initiative, research grants have been provided to explore the conversion of municipal solid waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel. By combining GSV’s research strengths with Airbus’ industrial expertise, the partnership aims to promote a locally sourced, circular fuel economy for India’s aviation sector.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 2022, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya is India’s only university dedicated exclusively to transportation and logistics. The university follows a demand-driven curriculum and covers all modes of transport, including railways, aviation, highways, ports, maritime and shipping, inland waterways, urban transport, and integrated logistics and supply chains. The university is headed by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, who serves as its Chancellor.
