MADURAI: The prestigious Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE) and automobile major Bajaj Auto Limited have joined hands to establish Bajaj Engineering Skills Training (BEST) Centre in Madurai with state-of-the-art laboratories that will enhance skill sets to foster future-ready engineers.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between TCE and Bajaj Auto Limited at TCE campus here yesterday-October 6th 2025, represented by Mr.Sudhakar Gudipati, vice-president (Corporate Social Responsibility) of Bajaj Auto Limited while TCE was represented by Mr.K.Hari Thiagarajan, Chairman and Correspondent along with Principal Dr.L.Ashok Kumar.
“BEST is the flagship CSR initiative of Bajaj Auto Ltd, and the BEST-TCE Centre that is coming up in Madurai will emerge as a major skill training hub for South Tamil Nadu by focusing on contemporary and evolving technologies. This collaboration is a significant step in strengthening industry-academia partnership,” according to a press release received from TCE here today.
TO COMMENCE FROM JANUARY 2026:
The first phase of MoU will cover two verticals- advanced manufacturing-robotics and automation, and electronic manufacturing systems. Engineering students of mechatronics, mechanical engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) departments will be the primary beneficiaries in the first phase and activities will commence from January 2026 in the allotted temporary facilities, the press release has informed.
A fully functional and dedicated permanent infrastructure will be set up by TCE for the BEST Centre by September 2026 and it will have skill training facilities advanced manufacturing electronics and EV sectors also. When it is ready, the students of other branches will also have access to get hands-on training experience.
“TCE is contributing Rs.20 crores towards infrastructure and building facilities while Bajaj Auto Limited is providing advanced equipment worth around Rs.16 crores and it will be expanded based on the success of first phase. The collaboration will benefit around 1,200 students of TCE and nearly 200 students from other engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu in the initial phase. Once the permanent facility gets ready, the annual outreach from this BEST Centre in Madurai is projected to increase to about 6,000 students by providing them with industry-relevant skills and practical experience,” the TCE press release has said giving full details about the partnership with Bajaj Auto Limited.
