Thiruvananthapuram, 21 December 2024: Acsia Technologies, a global leader in automotive software specialising in Digital Cockpits & Displays, e-Mobility, and Telematics, has been awarded the CII Industry Academia Partnership Award 2024 in the MSME sector (Diamond category). This recognition highlights Acsia’s exemplary efforts in fostering collaborations with academic institutions, bridging the gap between education and industry, and preparing students for real-world challenges in automotive software development.
The award ceremony, held in New Delhi as part of the CII Annual Summit on Technology, Intellectual Property, and Industry-Academia Partnerships, celebrated outstanding contributions by companies, academic, and research institutions fostering meaningful industry-academia synergies.
Reflecting on the recognition, Jijimon Chandran, Founder and CEO of Acsia Technologies, said: “This award validates our belief that collaboration is the cornerstone of innovation. Through programs like ‘Wheels of the Future’ and our mentorship initiatives, we strive to equip the next generation with the skills needed to lead tomorrow’s mobility revolution.”
Acsia congratulates all the winners across categories, including TVS Motors, Tata Motors, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, HCL Tech, Serum Institute of India, TCS, Mahindra and Mahindra, Uno Minda, IIT Madras, Hindustan Unilever Ltd and Biocon Biologics. Their contributions continue to advance industry-academia partnerships in India.
Acsia’s Industry-Academia Connect Initiatives
Acsia has been at the forefront of creating structured engagements that nurture young talent and foster innovation.
The “Wheels of the Future” Campus Lifecycle Program guides students through progressive stages of learning and industry exposure. It begins with expert talks during induction weeks to familiarise students with industry best practices, followed by self-learning modules and assessments to identify top performers for summer internships. Based on their performance, selected students are offered a month-long internship, culminating in a six-month academic project at Acsia. This hands-on experience provides students with opportunities to work on real-world proof-of-concept projects and opens pathways for potential hiring.
Through collaborative research, Acsia mentored the development of “Vandy”, an electric car designed by students at the Government Engineering College, Barton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram, which gained international recognition at the Shell Eco-Marathon 2022 in Indonesia. The project received awards for its battery thermal management system and AI-driven drowsiness detection system, reflecting the depth of innovation enabled by Acsia’s mentorship.
Acsia also supports academic projects and labs, including the installation of an AC-DC charger at Trinity College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, offering practical exposure to EV infrastructure. Its long-term internship programs provide six months of mentored, hands-on training in real-world automotive software development.
To strengthen technical expertise, Acsia delivers specialised training programs in AUTOSAR at Trinity College of Engineering and RUST/C++ at Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, ensuring students acquire industry-relevant skills.
The organisation has also facilitated mentorship programs with industry veterans such as Mr. Stefan Juraschek, Strategic Advisor at Acsia and a key figure behind BMW’s electric vehicle innovations. Stefan’s interactions with students at the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET) and Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, offered invaluable insights into electric vehicles, software-defined vehicles (SDV), and the future of mobility.
Acsia’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is evident through its exclusive placement drive for differently abled engineering students, conducted in collaboration with Kerala’s APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) on 24th January 2023 at the Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. This initiative empowered final-year students across Kerala with career opportunities in engineering. Through initiatives such as collaborative research, hands-on workshops, and structured training programs, Acsia enables students to gain practical experience, bridging the gap between academia and industry and creating a skilled, future-ready workforce.