Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), Madhya Pradesh, and Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 August 2026 at the MANIT campus in Bhopal, marking a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between academia and the MSME sector.
The MoU seeks to bridge the industry–academia gap through technology development and transfer, knowledge exchange, innovation, skill development and increased industry participation. The partnership will enable MSMEs to gain access to advanced technologies, research expertise and innovative solutions, while providing students and academic institutions with greater exposure to real-world industrial challenges.
The collaboration is also expected to facilitate joint research initiatives, technology adoption, industry-oriented projects and skill development programmes, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for MSMEs, students and faculty.
The signing ceremony was attended by distinguished representatives from MANIT Bhopal, including Dr. Anupama Sharma, Dean, Institutional Development & International Relations; Dr. Amit Bhagat, Associate Dean, Institutional Development & International Relations; and Dr. Manish Vishwakarma, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Representing LUB Madhya Pradesh were Shri Jitendra Gupta Ji, Former National President, Laghu Udyog Bharati, India; Shri Arvind Kale, Treasurer, LUB Madhya Pradesh; Shri Vinod Nair, General Secretary, Madhya Bharat Prant, MP; Shri Nitin Kamrishi, In-Charge, ITI Initiative, MP; Smt. Rashmi Gurjar, Secretary, Madhya Bharat Prant, MP; Shri Mitesh Lokwani, President, Bhopal Ikai; Smt. Shubha Kamrishi, President, Mahila Ikai, Bhopal; and Shri Shekhar Dhuandre, Executive Member, Bhopal Ikai.
The MoU marks an important milestone in building a robust Industry–Academia ecosystem in Madhya Pradesh. By combining MANIT’s academic and research capabilities with LUB’s extensive MSME network, the partnership aims to accelerate technology adoption, encourage innovation, strengthen industry-oriented learning and enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs.
The initiative reflects LUB’s continued efforts to connect MSMEs with leading academic and technical institutions, creating practical pathways for technology transfer, research collaboration and sustainable industrial growth.
