VTU Launches Pioneering Centre of Excellence to Drive Next-Gen Tech Innovation
Hub-and-Spoke Model to Foster Research, Startups, and Skill Development
Bengaluru, July 10, 2025: In a significant step toward bolstering India’s technological prowess, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), in collaboration with the Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation (VRIF) and Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCOE) India, inaugurated a cutting-edge Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the auspicious occasion of Guru Poornima.
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the state-of-the-art facility, joined by Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil, Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, and Prof. Vidyashankar S, Vice-Chancellor of VTU. The CoE aims to accelerate research, innovation, and skill development in next-generation technologies, fostering India’s digital transformation.
A National Innovation Nucleus
The CoE will operate on a hub-and-spoke model, with the central hub at VTU’s Bengaluru Regional Centre. This hub will spearhead national-level R&D programs, while 30+ affiliated institutions will serve as spokes, driving domain-specific research and regional innovation.
Prof. Vidyashankar S, Vice-Chancellor of VTU, emphasized the Centre’s potential, stating:
*“Leveraging VTU’s vast academic network—spanning 212 affiliated institutions, over 400,000 students, and 20,000 PhD-qualified researchers—this CoE will bridge academia and industry. Alongside TCOE’s industry partnerships, we will drive translational research, entrepreneurship, and large-scale skill development in emerging tech domains.”*
Key focus areas include:
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5G/6G communications
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
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Quantum computing
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Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR/VR)
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Healthcare and Agri-Tech innovations
Industry-Academia Collaboration for Real-World Impact
The CoE will house startup incubation units and skill development centers, developed in partnership with leading industry players such as:
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Televerge
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Tejas Networks
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VVDN Technologies
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Keysight Technologies
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Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC)
With participation from 20+ startups, 30+ academic institutions, and multiple tech partners, the initiative is poised to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Sharanprakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, hailed the initiative:
“This CoE will be a game-changer in accelerating India’s digital economy. By integrating startups, academia, and industry expertise, we are building a resilient framework to tackle complex technological challenges.”
Scindia’s Vision: Bengaluru as the Next Silicon Valley
In his keynote address, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, calling him an “engineering marvel whose vision transformed India’s technological landscape.” He drew parallels between Visvesvaraya’s legacy and the potential of today’s students.
“The lakhs of students at VTU are not just gaining knowledge—they are inheriting the spirit of innovation that will serve India and the world,” Scindia remarked.
Highlighting Bengaluru’s tech dominance, he added:
“In the next decade, we will say Silicon Valley is a version of Bengaluru. This is a city where code is written over coffee, startups flourish with robust funding, and satellites are launched before traffic signals are fixed.”
Scindia emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering innovation:
“Our responsibility is to create a seamless digital highway, removing hurdles for innovators. India has led in software services—now, we will revolutionize the information highway, driving the next industrial revolution.”
A Roadmap for India’s Tech Future
Formalized through an MoU between VTU and TCOE, the CoE is envisioned as a high-impact platform for:
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Applied R&D
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Technology commercialization
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Workforce development
By integrating academic research, industry expertise, and entrepreneurial ventures, the Centre aims to position India as a global leader in cutting-edge technologies.
As India strides toward a $5 trillion economy, initiatives like the VTU-VRIF-TCOE CoE underscore the nation’s commitment to fostering innovation, skill development, and self-reliance in technology.
Key Takeaways:
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VTU, VRIF, and TCOE India launch a next-gen tech CoE in Bengaluru.
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Hub-and-spoke model to drive R&D, startups, and skill development.
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Focus areas: 5G/6G, AI/ML, Quantum Computing, AR/VR, Healthcare, Agri-Tech.
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Industry partners include Televerge, Tejas Networks, VVDN, Keysight, TSSC.
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Scindia envisions Bengaluru as the next Silicon Valley, highlights digital highway for innovation.
Key Quotes:
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Jyotiraditya Scindia (Union Minister of Communications):
“In the next decade, we will say Silicon Valley is a version of Bengaluru. This is where code is written over coffee and startups flourish with bold ideas.”
- “Our mission is to build an invisible digital highway—freeing innovation from hurdles and powering India’s tech revolution.”
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Prof. Vidyashankar S (VTU Vice-Chancellor):
*”With 400,000+ students and 20,000 researchers, this CoE will bridge academia & industry to solve real-world tech challenges.”*
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Dr. Sharanprakash Patil (Skill Development Minister):
“This CoE isn’t just about research—it’s about creating jobs, startups, and skilled talent for India’s $5 trillion economy dream.”
