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SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Schneider Electric for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Human Machine Interface (HMI) at SRMIST’s main campus. The collaboration also marked the inauguration of the HMI laboratory, designed to provide hands-on learning and research opportunities for students and faculty across disciplines.
The initiative aims to strengthen academic–industry collaboration by integrating industrial automation technologies into academic learning. The new Centre will serve as a multidisciplinary platform for students from both core engineering and computing streams to gain exposure to HMI technologies, enhancing their understanding of real-time industrial processes and systems.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Veerendra Vasamsetty, HMI R&D Director - Bangalore, said, “This collaboration benefits faculty, students, and industry alike. Faculty gain exposure to ongoing industrial developments, students gain hands-on training with real devices, and Schneider becomes part of a growing ecosystem. It is a win–win–win for everyone involved.”
He added that Schneider Electric welcomes SRMIST faculty to visit its research labs and announced plans to organise future hackathons and research engagements through the Centre. “We encourage students and faculty to use the lab extensively for applied research and innovation. The more it is used, the more we will contribute and expand,” he said.
Dr. Leenus Jesu Martin, Dean (Engineering and Technology), emphasised the university’s growing engagement with industry partners through Centres of Excellence and Faculty-Industry Immersion Programs (FIIP).
“SRMIST has been working closely with industries through multiple forms of collaboration, including Centres of Excellence, training facilities, and faculty immersion initiatives. The Centre with Schneider Electric will help bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial practice,” said Dr. Leenus.
He also noted that SRMIST encourages departments to convert industry-based hackathons and projects into academic credits, ensuring students receive structured recognition for hands-on learning. “The Centre can also serve students and faculty from nearby institutions, ensuring broader access to industrial knowledge and facilities,” he added.
As part of the collaboration, Schneider Electric conducted a two-day faculty training session focused on HMI and PLC integration, programming, and industrial automation workflows. The training involved the installation of five panels equipped with real-time devices, offering faculty members practical experience in configuring, programming, and monitoring systems used in automation industries.
During an interaction, faculty member Dr. R. Annie Uthra, Head, Computational Intelligence, SRMIST, raised the possibility of using the Centre to support student startups working on Industry 4.0 applications. Responding to this, Ms. Soumya Gopinathan, Ecosystem and Tech Excellence Leader at Schneider Electric, expressed interest in connecting with such startups for mentorship and possible technical collaboration. “We can schedule presentations from student startups to explore opportunities for advisory or technical support and identify areas of synergy,” she said.
The event concluded with a tour of the newly established HMI Centre of Excellence and an interaction between Schneider Electric representatives and SRMIST faculty members on potential collaborative research and application development in automation, AI, and cybersecurity domains.