On April 20, 2026, the University of Hyderabad hosted a landmark event marking a significant leap in its research and industrial partnership capabilities, with the inauguration of the ‘Interdisciplinary Research Cluster (IDRC) Building’ and the ‘HAL-UoH Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Digital Twin Technology’. The event featured eminent scientists, academic leaders, and industry leaders.

A series of marquee events heralded the start of the afternoon, drawing an elite crowd as the program got underway:

  • IDRC Building: Officially inaugurated by Prof. Goverdhan Mehta, a renowned Chemist and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, presently holding the prestigious position of ‘Distinguished Professor’. The IDRC is set to become a hub of cross-disciplinary academic synergy.

  • CoE in Digital Twin Technology: The University of Hyderabad today inaugurated the UoH–HAL Centre of Excellence in Digital Twin Technology (DTT Lab), a major initiative established with the generous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited by Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, in the presence of Prof. J. Anuradha, Vice-Chancellor (i/c), University of Hyderabad, and M. Satyanarayana, CEO, HAL, along with faculty members, industry leaders, students, and invited guests. The event also marked the inauguration of the UoH–HAL CoE Auditorium, a modern 280-seater facility created to host large-scale skilling programs, conferences, workshops, and industry–academia engagement activities.

  • Facility Tour: Following the inaugurations, the dignitaries toured the new laboratories and inaugurated the UoH-HAL CoE Auditorium, which will serve as the primary venue for technical exchange between the university and HAL. The newly established Centre has been conceived as a multidisciplinary platform to advance research, innovation, and skilling in Digital Twin Technology, integrating simulation, real-time systems, data acquisition, and artificial intelligence. The Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a Digital Twin Simulation & Analytics Lab with 25 high-end workstations, a Digital Twin Learning Studio, a Hardware Interface Lab with sensors and real-time controllers, and an Air Mobility Digital Twin Lab equipped with drones, LiDAR, and image processing tools. Prof. Samrat Sabat, who has been coordinating the initiative, highlighted that the Centre will focus strongly on skilling students, researchers, and professionals, while also developing deployable solutions in areas such as predictive maintenance, structural health monitoring, EV battery systems, autonomous systems, and smart infrastructure.

Prof. M. Ghanashyam Krishna, Director, IoE welcomed the gathering, made brief remarks about the Institution of Eminence program and the focus of on industry-academia engagement, enhanced research capabilities through high-end equipment, interdisciplinary collaborations and revenue generation in the IDRC.

Prof. J. Anuradha, Vice Chancellor i/C, emphasised the university’s commitment to the Institution of Eminence (IoE) goals, highlighting how the new infrastructure bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical application.


Dr D.K. Sunil (CMD, HAL) elaborated on the strategic importance of Digital Twin Technology in the aerospace sector. He noted that the partnership with UoH would be instrumental in developing real-time simulation models to enhance the efficiency and maintenance of aeronautical systems.

 

Prof. Goverdhan Mehta, UoH Distinguished Professor delivered an inspiring address on the evolution of interdisciplinary research. He encouraged the faculty and students to utilise the IDRC to solve complex, real-world problems that cannot be addressed within the silos of traditional departments.

The event concluded with a Partner Session, during which stakeholders discussed future roadmaps for the UoH-HAL collaboration.

A formal Words of Thanks was delivered by Prof. S.K. Udgata, expressing gratitude to the guests, the planning committee, and the technical teams that made the infrastructure project a reality.

Dr. Devesh Nigam, Registrar; Shri B Srinivas, Finance Officer; Lt. Col. CH Rao, University Engineer; Deans of the Schools; Officers of UoH and HAL attended the events.

The successful launch of these facilities marks a new era for the University of Hyderabad, positioning it at the forefront of digital transformation and interdisciplinary research excellence in India.