Tirupati: May 09, 2025: Kia India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati (IIT-Tirupati) to invest Rs 35 cr over the next five years with the aim of cultivating engineering excellence, encouraging research-led innovation and developing progressive talent in the fields of automotive and industrial engineering.
Kia India’s investment which will be spread over from 2025–2029 will support IIT-Tirupati’s academic facilities, research programs, and student development.
The partnership aims to make IIT-Tirupati a leading center for advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, and sustainable automotive technologies.
The MoU details a plan for working together, including an internship program that offers Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) to students, facilitating real industry experience and career opportunities with Kia India.
It also includes scholarships and financial aid for deserving M.Tech students, based on their academic performance and financial need, to ensure fair access to quality education and resources.
This partnership aspires to create a hi-tech facility at IIT-Tirupati, a ‘Makers Laboratory’, intended to encourage innovation across multiple fields.
This would enable students to conceptualize, design and build working prototypes, elevating the institute’s reputation to a center for advanced research and technology development.
Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO, Kia India emphasized that the two entities share the same values and vision for the future of mobility and engineering in India and that together they will create opportunities, capabilities and a strong base for positive change in Society, besides just infrastructure.
This collaboration, will also facilitate international academic partnerships between IIT-Tirupati and reputed Korean universities, encouraging student and faculty exchange programs and joint research initiatives in emerging technologies.
Director IIT Tirupati – Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana, shared that the institution was delighted to join hands with Kia India and contribute to the country’s objectives of sustainable industrial development and technological leadership. “We look forward to creating impactful innovations and empowering our students to shape the future of mobility,” he said.
This strategic partnership sets a clear path for innovation, learning, and talent growth. It focuses on bridging academia and industry by supporting research in sustainable mobility and preparing future-ready talent through internships and scholarships.
With an annual production capacity of 300,000 units, Kia India has till date launched 7 vehicles for the Indian market. With over 4.5 lakh connected cars on Indian roads, the brand is one of the leaders in connected car technology in the country. It has a strong presence with 744 touchpoints across 329 cities and remains focused on expanding its reach and enhancing customer experience.
