Airbus inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for aerospace studies at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking a new phase in industry academia collaboration. The centre is intended to strengthen India's aerospace ecosystem through sustained research, innovation and talent development across the transportation and logistics domain.

The CoE will prioritise research and development into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), including projects that explore conversion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into aviation fuel, and will support student led innovations in future aerospace technologies. The facility, announced in 2024, was inaugurated by Jurgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, in the presence of Her Highness Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad and Professor Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor of GSV.

Since 2024, Airbus and GSV have pursued a comprehensive partnership to mature the building blocks of an integrated aerospace ecosystem in India. The collaboration includes a full scholarship programme for 45 meritorious and underprivileged students, with one third of the awards reserved for women, the establishment of an Airbus Chair Professor for Aerospace Studies to anchor academic excellence, and a Joint Study Agreement that provides grants for R&D into locally sourced circular solutions for aviation fuel.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, established as a central university by an Act of Parliament in 2022, is mandated to cover the entire transportation sector and to cultivate industry driven, skill oriented curriculum across railways, aviation, highways, ports, maritime and inland waterways. The partnership with Airbus is being positioned as a template for industry academic cooperation that aims to build highly skilled human capital and support the national vision for a self reliant economy by 2047 through ecosystem development and capacity building.