The emerging industrial power of India is to become the focus for students at the Cambridge University Institute for Manufacturing (IfM).

A group of around 40 Manufacturing Engineering students set off for India today on a summer study tour.

The trip will form part of a major research project called ‘Hot Stuff – India’s recipe for Industrial Success’

The students will visit more than 20 of India’s leading firms in the space of just 12 days, in Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi. The business sectors include hi-tech pharmaceuticals and computing, automotive and construction.

It is hoped the research team will provide greater understanding of the investment opportunities for UK companies in India and identify future trends.

Prof Mike Gregory, Head of the IfM, said: “India is an incredibly exciting and important region; it is shaping up to play an increasingly leading role in the global economy.

“This tour will help us to understand the challenges this will pose both internally and externally and produce some important lessons for UK manufacturing.”

Tour leader Dr Ajith Parlikad, Lecturer in Automation and Control in the IfM’s Distributed Information and Automation Laboratory, said:

“We’ll be focusing on core areas of sustainability and growth, looking at parallels between service industry and manufacturing and looking at whether India’s future is now in hi-tech sectors.”

Student group leader Jonny Thompson said: “The rapid changes Indian industry is undergoing at the moment make it an extremely exciting country for us to visit.

“We hope to be able to compare and contrast our experiences in the UK to those we find in India and draw useful conclusions on how these can be used to provide mutual benefits as well as informing further stages of growth in both the UK and India “

Research from the project will be published in a comprehensive written report and the findings will be presented at the IfM’s new Cambridge headquarters at West Cambridge later this year.

The work will form part of a growing partnership in industrial innovation involving UK and Indian businesses and universities.
Manufacturing Engineering is a programme for 3rd and 4th-year Cambridge engineering students who have successfully completed the first two years of an engineering degree. MET provides them with the management competence, business acumen and interpersonal and organisational skills they need to become world-class leaders.

The IfM brings together expertise in management, economics and technology to address the full spectrum of industrial issues. Its activities integrate research and education with practical application in companies, providing a unique environment for the creation of new ideas and approaches to modern industrial practice.

The IfM works closely with industry, at a regional, national and international level, providing strategic, technical and operational expertise to help companies to grow and to become more competitive. This work brings benefits to both parties: Industry receives practical solutions based on the latest applied research while the university receives live feedback to help set the agenda for new research.

 

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