The University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES) recently collaborated with Grasim Industries limited (Pulp and Fibre Business, Aditya Birla Group) to introduce cellulosic material research programmes for aspiring students. Grasim R&D will provide opportunity to selected UPES students for working at their state of art research facilities as part of UPES graduate research programmes. Technical experts and scientists from Grasim R&D will support UPES design curriculum for the programmes, for example through visits of select faculty of the University to get exposure to industrial process and problems solving. Such facilitation of imparting up-to-date technical knowledge in cellulosic materials and technologies will help further the relevance of academic education to industrial practice.
The Aditya Birla Group is the world’s leading producer of viscose staple fiber (VSF). The company’s in-house R&D is focused on new product development, sustainable processes, product performance enhancement, quality improvement and reduction in environment and energy footprint.
The young intern engineers from UPES, with their inquisive and enthusiastic minds, have been encouraged to work on problems which are fundamental in nature but at the same time have direct industrial applicability. This has helped to explore unique solutions to the technical challenges of pulp and cellulosic fiber technology.
Commenting on this collaboration, Dr Aspi Patel, CTO, Pulp and Fibre business, said: “Aditya Birla Group’s Pulp and Fibre business derives its competitive edge from its integrated business model, which spans the entire value chain from wood to fiber to garments. Cellulosic materials are growing rapidly in industrial applications as a green alternative to synthetic polymers and materials. There is a growing requirement of suitable technical talent to take up new and interesting challenges. This collaboration will enable better integration of academic research with solving industrial problems in cellulosic applications and providing an expanding pool of future talent to support the growth of Indian textile industry.”