NIT Raipur and Avkalan Labs Sign MoU to Bridge Academic Research with Real-World Innovation

In a major step toward translating academic research into practical industrial solutions, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur and deep-tech startup Avkalan Labs Private Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The primary objective of this partnership is to advance the practical application of computational engineering, advanced simulation technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) in engineering disciplines, enabling lab-grown expertise to be deployed at an industrial scale.

The MoU was signed by Dr. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director of NIT Raipur, and Dr. Kamal Shankar Patel, Director and Co-founder of Avkalan Labs. The signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Gangadhar Ramtekkar (Department of Civil Engineering), Prof. S. Sanyal (Department of Mechanical Engineering), and Prof. Shirish V. Deo (Department of Civil Engineering). All joint activities under this agreement will be coordinated under the supervision of Prof. Gangadhar Ramtekkar, Dr. Mohit Jaiswal (Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering), and Dr. Kamal Shankar Patel.

Under this partnership, both institutions will pursue joint research, industrial training, student internships, and academic projects in high-tech domains such as computational mechanics, finite element analysis, and multiphysics simulation. Furthermore, the agreement establishes a framework for industry-sponsored M.Tech and doctoral (Ph.D.) research addressing real-world industry challenges, paving the way for joint research publications, patent filings, and the commercialization of new technologies.

A key dimension of this strategic collaboration is exploring the potential establishment of a dedicated Centre of Excellence in Computational Mechanics at NIT Raipur. This proposed centre aims to serve as a platform for advanced research, specialized skill training, and the development of modern computational methodologies across structural mechanics, engineering optimization, and high-performance computing, providing students with direct, hands-on exposure to practical engineering challenges.

Having originated as an incubatee at IIT Roorkee and relocated its operational base to Raipur in 2025, Avkalan Labs' collaboration with NIT Raipur will help strengthen the local research and deep-tech innovation ecosystem in Chhattisgarh. The partnership is set to nurture highly skilled technical talent, expand local technological capabilities, and drive the effective application of academic expertise toward India's broader industrial and societal growth.

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