In a major step toward bridging the gap between academia and industry, Anna University, Kumaraguru College of Technology (KCT), and Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College (SREC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a global leader in infrastructure engineering software. The collaboration is designed to equip engineering students with advanced digital skills, particularly in the areas of infrastructure design, project management, and digital twin technologies.
Partnership Highlights
As part of the MoU, Bentley Systems will provide free access to its suite of infrastructure engineering tools for students and faculty members. The software includes:
- MicroStation – widely used for design and drafting.
- OpenRoads – for road and highway engineering.
- OpenFlows – for water infrastructure management.
This access is expected to significantly enhance classroom learning by allowing students to gain hands-on exposure to industry-standard platforms.
Industrial Training and Global Exposure
Beyond software access, students will benefit from industrial training opportunities offered through the Bentley Education portal. The initiative will connect students with Bentley’s global network of infrastructure professionals and projects, enabling them to learn best practices from real-world applications. The collaboration also aims to prepare students for the growing demand for digital infrastructure expertise in India, where projects such as smart cities, highways, and sustainable urban development require engineers skilled in advanced technologies.
Voices from the Collaboration
Kamalakannan Thiruvadi, Regional Executive, South Asia, Bentley Systems, highlighted the significance of this partnership, saying: “Our MoUs with Kumaraguru College of Technology and Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College are part of Bentley Systems’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers through stronger industry–academia collaboration.” From the academic side, leaders expressed optimism about how the initiative will shape students’ careers.
Dr. J. Prakash, Registrar, Anna University, said: “Anna University is committed to equipping students with the skills needed to excel in today’s fast-changing engineering environment.”
- Dr. A. Soundarrajan, Principal, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, added: “Partnering with Bentley Systems provides our students and faculty the opportunity to learn on globally adopted platforms, gain hands-on exposure to digital infrastructure practices, and strengthen their employability and innovation capacity.”
Impact on Engineering Education
This initiative is expected to make a lasting impact on engineering education in Tamil Nadu and beyond. By blending academic learning with industry-grade tools and exposure, the partnership will:
- Enhance practical learning outcomes for students.
- Improve employability and job readiness for graduates.
- Foster innovation in infrastructure projects by training students on digital twin technologies.
- Strengthen India’s position in the global digital infrastructure sector.
