UltraTech Cement has inaugurated its first Center of Excellence (CoE) for Advanced Building Materials and Sustainable Development in Jammu and Kashmir, marking its seventh such centre in Northern India. The opening ceremony was conducted at the MIET, Kot Bhalwal campus, and attended by Mukesh Jha, Regional Head Technical of UltraTech Cement Ltd., and Prof. Ankur Gupta, Director of MIET. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between MIET and UltraTech Cement, outlining their collaboration across various domains.Mukesh Jha highlighted that the UltraTech CoE at MIET would serve as a platform to showcase the latest technologies and trends in construction management. It aims to provide valuable learning opportunities for students, engineers, architects, and builders in the region, ensuring they stay updated with industry advancements. Moreover, the CoE will offer essential training programs tailored for local masons, contractors, and students, addressing critical gaps in the field and raising the overall construction quality standards. The Center of Excellence will feature diverse models utilising Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC), advanced concrete and cement products, tiling solutions, chemical waterproofing solutions, and new construction materials, along with educational materials and technical expertise.Prof. Ankur Gupta emphasized the importance of conducting technical seminars, workshops, conferences, and training programs through the CoE. He stressed the need to support the civil engineering community in the region with the right tools, techniques, and practices, ultimately enhancing the quality and sustainability of civil work, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Prof. Gupta also highlighted MIET's commitment to promoting research in these emerging fields and the establishment of an Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) student chapter.The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Vijay Singh Rathore and Vishal Thakur from UltraTech, as well as Prof. Sahil Sawhney, Prof. Arvind Dewangan, Apoorva Bhan, Abhishek Chandra, and Muzzafar Ahmed Ganai from MIET.