Honeywell has entered into a partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to establish a new Centre of Excellence dedicated to sustainability-focused education and research. The initiative aims to equip more than 100,000 students with skills related to sustainability and emerging technologies by the year 2030.
The IIT Bombay–Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills and Innovation will be established at the institute’s Powai campus in Mumbai. The facility will be funded by the Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF), the company’s philanthropic organization in India.
The Centre of Excellence will support training programs, research initiatives and curriculum development focused on sustainability-related fields. The initiative will include advanced laboratory infrastructure, specialized equipment and research grants designed to encourage innovation and applied learning.
During the initial pilot phase, which will run over the next two months, the center will focus on setting up infrastructure, designing the academic framework and training the first group of 250 students. The program will include certificate-based courses that combine classroom instruction with practical project work addressing real-world sustainability challenges.
The courses will be open to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students from across India. After the pilot phase, the program is expected to expand significantly and reach approximately 20,000 students each year through structured learning modules and research activities.
India’s transition toward a digital and sustainable economy has created a growing need for professionals with expertise in environmental management, energy systems and sustainability strategy. Industry reports indicate that the country could create millions of jobs in the green economy by 2030, highlighting the importance of building a skilled workforce.
The training program will include five key learning areas: sustainability reporting, sustainable finance, energy security, sustainability infrastructure and policy advocacy. Students will complete a minimum of 40 hours of coursework across these tracks.
Ashish Modi, President of Honeywell India and Asia Pacific, said developing skilled talent will be essential to supporting India’s long-term economic and environmental goals. He noted that the collaboration with IIT Bombay reflects Honeywell’s commitment to strengthening the country’s sustainability talent pipeline.
Professor Shireesh B Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, said the partnership will provide students with opportunities to apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges through practical learning and research collaboration. The Centre of Excellence will form part of Honeywell India’s “Saksham” initiative, which focuses on building skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and sustainability to support the country’s future workforce.
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), established in 1958 as the second institution in the IIT system, is internationally recognised for excellence in science, engineering, and technology education and research. On July 9, 2018, the institute was granted the status of “Institution of Eminence” by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Over the decades, IIT Bombay has built a strong reputation for distinguished faculty, impactful research, strong industry collaboration, and highly accomplished graduates from its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The institute currently comprises 17 academic departments, three schools, and 35 additional academic entities including centres, programmes, research hubs, and externally funded laboratories. Since its inception, more than 75,000 engineers and scientists have graduated from IIT Bombay and gone on to contribute to academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and public service worldwide.
IIT Bombay’s academic community includes 756 faculty members, among them 121 women faculty, along with approximately 150 visiting and part-time faculty members. The institute’s faculty are widely recognised for their contributions to education, research, and technological advancement.
The institute consistently ranks among the leading universities globally. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, IIT Bombay was placed 2nd in India and 129th worldwide. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, it was ranked 28th globally in Engineering and Technology, reflecting its strong standing in research, academic reputation, and industry engagement.
Honeywell is a global integrated technology and manufacturing company that serves a wide range of industries and markets across the world. Its operations are supported by the Honeywell Accelerator operating system and the Honeywell Forge platform, which help drive performance, digital transformation, and innovation across its businesses. As a long-standing partner to organizations worldwide, Honeywell develops practical solutions to address complex challenges across sectors such as aerospace, building technologies, industrial automation, process automation, and advanced process technologies. Through its technologies and services, the company works to enhance operational efficiency while contributing to a safer, more connected, and more sustainable world.
