The Foundation for Smart Manufacturing (FSM), a collaborative initiative by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and the Automation Industry Association under the aegis of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, is set to host a session on July 13, 2024. This workshop, held at Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya (BVM), is designed to strengthen ties between academia, industry, and public sectors to boost local manufacturing clusters in India.
In a significant step toward advancing India’s capabilities in smart manufacturing, the Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College, Vithal Udyognagar Industries Association, and the IITD-AIA Foundation for Smart Manufacturing are set to host a groundbreaking workshop titled “Expanding Opportunities in Smart Manufacturing” on July 13, 2024. This event will convene at the BVM Engineering College, targeting enhancements in the intersection of industry and academia.
The workshop will empower small and medium-sized manufacturers by fostering a collaborative environment where industry leaders, academicians, and policymakers can interact and cooperate. Anup Wadhwa, Co-architect of FSM and Director of the Automation Industry Association, emphasizes the significance of supporting local industries: “Manufacturing in India is growing rapidly, and it’s crucial to ensure robust support systems. By forming these clusters, we aim to bolster local industries with the combined strength of academia and the public sector.”
Set to take place at the BVM Engineering College, this event begins with registration and breakfast at 9:15 AM followed by an array of sessions targeting key aspects of Industry 4.0. The workshop will delve into local ecosystem challenges, digital adoption needs, workforce development, and alignment with the business milestones of Vithal Udyognagar Industries. Each session is designed to offer a comprehensive outlook on integrating smart manufacturing practices into the existing industrial framework.
Expanding Opportunities in Smart Manufacturing Workshop
Prof Dr Indrajit Patel, Principal at BVM, highlighted the event as a best practice in industry-academia collaboration. “This meeting of minds is geared towards discovering smart manufacturing technologies that are crucial for advancing manufacturing enterprises,” said Patel. The agenda includes discussions on the future of work in the context of Industry 4.0, local ecosystem challenges, digital adoption, workforce skilling, and leadership team formation within the industry.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the “Future of Work” within the context of Industry 4.0, witness the progress of BVM’s Smart Manufacturing Laboratory, and discuss future digital adoption and workforce skilling requirements. The workshop will also facilitate leadership team formations to spearhead initiatives within this burgeoning sector.
Manish Kothari, Managing Director of Rhino Machines Pvt Ltd and a panelist at the event, shared his enthusiasm: “It’s exhilarating to be a part of this ecosystem, bridging the gap between industry and academia to foster a thriving manufacturing sector in Anand.” The session promises to be a comprehensive platform for demonstrating advanced smart manufacturing capabilities and discussing the alignment with business milestones of allied industries.
This workshop is part of a larger effort to position India at the forefront of the global smart manufacturing landscape, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as Industrial IoT, Augmented Reality, and more to enhance the country’s industrial capabilities. Concluding with a networking lunch, the workshop is set to be a cornerstone event for professionals, educators, policymakers, and innovators in the manufacturing industry.
