- Academic C-DOT Research & Innovation Centre to be established to accelerate ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ Vision
Partnership aims to develop cutting-edge solutions in ICT, 5G/6G, and Digital Security Domains
Collaboration marks a milestone in academia–industry synergy for technological self-reliance
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, NOV 9
In a landmark move to strengthen India’s digital and telecommunication capabilities, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) have entered into a strategic partnership to establish an Academic C-DOT Research and Innovation Centre at IITGN.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, and Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT, during a ceremony held at the IITGN campus on Saturday.
The newly established centre will serve as a hub for fundamental and applied research in Telecommunications, ICT, and Cyber Security, fostering indigenous development in next-generation communication technologies, including 5G/6G, network security, and AI-driven telecom innovation.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Rajat Moona said, “Self-reliance in digital and communication technologies, along with cyber security, are essential for the security, growth, and development of our country. The MoU synergises the strengths of both institutions and is a significant step towards indigenous capability building and innovation that will foster new ideas while leveraging niche and emerging technologies.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay emphasised the collaboration’s long-term impact on India’s technology ecosystem.
“The establishment of this Academic Centre of Excellence aims to create a dynamic, collaborative environment by combining the strengths and resources of C-DOT and IITGN. Such initiatives play a vital role in advancing next-generation telecom technologies, encouraging intellectual property creation, and strengthening India’s position as a global leader in innovation. We envision a self-reliant India that not only meets its own technological needs but also contributes to global progress.”
The partnership will enable IITGN faculty, researchers, and students to collaborate closely with C-DOT scientists on real-world telecom challenges, driving indigenous R&D in alignment with the Government of India’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’.
During his visit, Dr. Upadhyay also inaugurated the 16th edition of ‘Amalthea 2025’, IITGN’s annual tech fest, as the Chief Guest. Delivering his keynote address on the theme “Orchestrating Origins,” he highlighted the critical role of Indian innovation in shaping the future of AI, robotics, and telecommunications. The Tech Expo — a pre-event to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 — showcased cutting-edge research and industry participation, including notable contributions from the Indian Army, research institutions, and emerging startups.
