- Outlook Summit 2026 launches a new student-driven energy initiative
- Industry, academia and global data converge at IITGN
- Alliance builds pathways from learning to real-world energy action
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, JAN 18
In a forward-looking initiative aimed squarely at empowering students, IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) and TotalEnergies India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, to kick-start a series of collaborative, student-centric programmes focused on the future of energy. The partnership will be inaugurated through the TotalEnergies Outlook (TEO) Summit 2026, scheduled to be held on February 14, 2026, at the IITGN campus.
The Summit marks the first milestone in a broader engagement framework designed to foster student participation in education, research and industry-oriented projects linked to energy transition, sustainability and net-zero ambitions.
Building Student Capabilities Beyond the Classroom
The MoU outlines a collaboration to develop programmes that enhance students’ scientific, managerial, economic, marketing and public relations skills, while providing direct exposure to real-world challenges in the energy sector. Under the initiative, TotalEnergies will utilise IITGN’s campus infrastructure to host events and activities that bring industry thinking into the academic ecosystem.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof Rajat Moona said, “This partnership will open new avenues for our students to engage with industry leaders, gain practical insights, and apply their knowledge to impactful projects. We look forward to a productive collaboration with TotalEnergies.”
TEO Summit 2026: Global Energy Outlook Meets Young Minds
The TEO Summit 2026, accessible both live at the IITGN campus and online, will feature Thomas-Olivier Leautier, Chief Economist, TotalEnergies, who will travel from Paris to present the TotalEnergies Energy Outlook live at IITGN. The presentation will be followed by a live discussion and debate with an eminent panel from industry and academia.
Highlighting the intent behind the initiative, Sangkaran Ratnam said, “By combining academic rigor with industry guidance and geopolitical realities, we hope to spark practical solutions for India’s net-zero ambitions while showcasing the TotalEnergies Energy Outlook publication as a valuable blueprint for action in India and around the world.”
The Summit reinforces TotalEnergies’ message of “more energy, less emissions”, offering students a rare opportunity to engage directly with the Outlook’s authors, datasets and scenarios—bridging theory with policy and industry realities.
A Foundation for Long-Term Student Engagement
Both IITGN and TotalEnergies have expressed keen interest in expanding the collaboration beyond the Summit into research projects, workshops, seminars and sustained student engagement initiatives. The partnership is envisioned as a long-term platform to nurture future-ready professionals equipped to address the complex challenges of the global energy transition.
By anchoring global energy discourse within a student-focused academic environment, the IITGN–TotalEnergies initiative aims to translate knowledge into action and learning into leadership.
