Schneider Electric, the global energy-technology company, has partnered with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Smart City and Smart Factory Technologies at the university’s Vellore campus.

The Centre aims to advance innovation, research and skill development in emerging fields that are critical to India’s digital and sustainable transformation. It reflects Schneider Electric’s commitment to nurturing next-generation talent and creating pathways for students to engage with cutting-edge technologies shaping future industries. The first cohort will include 1,100 students, with plans for significant expansion in the coming years.

The initiative has been in development for more than three years and builds on VIT’s distinction as the first university in India to be empanelled as a Schneider Electric Priority Campus globally — a recognition shared by only three institutions in the country.

Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India and MD & CEO of Schneider Electric India, said it is vital to equip young talent with the skills, mindset and exposure required to lead the technological transformation reshaping modern life and work. “Through this CoE, we aim to create a vibrant platform where ideas evolve into real-world applications — driving innovation, research and entrepreneurship in domains that will shape the smart cities and industries of the future,” he said.

Ranked among India’s top universities and home to more than 45,000 students, VIT brings academic depth and a strong research ecosystem to the collaboration. The Centre of Excellence will operate as a joint innovation platform where students, faculty and Schneider Electric specialists work together on real-world projects, prototype development and curriculum integration — bridging the gap between academic learning and industry-led innovation.