Kia India has formalised a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati (IIT-Tirupati), signing a MoU to promote engineering research, innovation and talent development in the fields of automotive and industrial technology. The agreement reflects a long-term approach to building academic infrastructure and integrating future mobility needs with practical learning.
The partnership comes with a financial commitment of INR 35 crore spread over five years, from 2025 to 2029. The investment will support a range of initiatives including collaborative research, scholarships, and the establishment of advanced laboratory facilities.
The Makers lab is expected to act as a launchpad for applied research, where students and faculty can develop functional prototypes and engage in real-world problem solving. The initiative reflects a shift in how industry and academia are beginning to engage—not only through funding but by enabling co-creation.
Kia will also introduce an internship programme that includes pre-placement offers, a move that blends academic training with professional entry points. Scholarships for MTech students, based on merit and need, aim to ensure access to advanced education is not hindered by financial barriers. These steps collectively signal Kia’s intent to support long-term capacity building, beyond short-term recruitment.
The agreement also opens the door for international collaboration with Korean universities, enabling student and faculty exchanges and joint research. This part of the plan brings a global perspective to what is otherwise a regionally rooted partnership, helping IIT-Tirupati expand its academic reach while positioning Kia as a cross-border innovation player in the Indian context.
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