IIT Tirupati and Esri India launch Center of Competence to advance Geospatial Innovation

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati, in partnership with Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) India and the IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF), has inaugurated the Center of Competence (CoC) to strengthen geospatial education, research, and industry collaboration. The launch event featured Chief Guest Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), alongside IIT Tirupati Director Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana and Esri India Managing Director Mr. Agendra Kumar.

The newly established CoC will provide students, researchers, and startups with access to advanced GIS tools, specialized training, and hands-on industry applications. The initiative aims to foster groundbreaking developments in fields such as land management, urban planning, transportation, and drone-based geospatial analytics.

Highlighting the importance of academia-industry collaboration, Prof. Abhay Karandikar stated, “Building a strong geospatial workforce requires synergy between academic institutions and industry leaders. The Center of Competence at IIT Tirupati will equip students with essential GIS skills, enabling them to leverage spatial intelligence for solving key national challenges

Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana, Director of IIT Tirupati, emphasized the broader impact of the partnership: “This collaboration with Esri India will empower students, startups, and professionals with state-of-the-art geospatial technologies. By integrating industry-relevant training and research, we aim to develop skilled geospatial experts capable of driving technological and economic advancements.”

Mr. Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India, underscored the rising importance of geospatial technologies: “With the increasing integration of satellite data, drones, AI, and machine learning in GIS applications, this Center of Competence will prepare students and professionals for emerging opportunities in the field. This initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of geospatial experts who will shape India’s future in digital mapping and analytics.”

The launch event also highlighted key industry collaborations, advancements in startup-driven geospatial solutions, and cutting-edge research initiatives, reinforcing the significance of geospatial technology in various sectors.