Ahmedabad, 16 September 2026: The Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) and Gujarat Technological University (GTU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in doctoral research, advanced textiles, R&D, skill development and industry-oriented education.
The MoU was signed at the GTU Office, Chandkheda, Ahmedabad, in the presence of Mr. Pragnesh Shah (Director), Dr. Kameswara Rao (Assistant Director), Mr. Bishnu Rai (Head – HR & IR), Dr. Ankush Sharma (Senior Scientific Officer), and Dr. Ashwin Thakkar (Consultant), along with representatives from GTU — Dr. Vaibhav Bhatt (I/c Vice Chancellor), Dr. K. N. Kher (Registrar), Dr. Madhuri Bhavsar (Director, GTU-SET) and Dr. Rajesh Thakker (Director, R&D Cell).
A key focus of the collaboration is to provide eligible PhD scholars opportunities to undertake doctoral research in association with ATIRA, with access to ATIRA’s specialised laboratories, research infrastructure and testing facilities. Qualified ATIRA scientists may act as PhD Supervisors or Co-Supervisors, subject to applicable GTU norms.
The partnership will also facilitate student internships, project and dissertation work, skill development programmes, expert lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences, along with joint research, consultancy and sponsored research.
The collaboration will focus on areas including smart textiles, nanofibre technology, composite materials, sensors, instrumentation, filtration technologies and emerging materials, bringing together GTU’s academic capabilities and ATIRA’s specialised research expertise and infrastructure.
The MoU marks an important step towards strengthening the academia–research–industry ecosystem and creating new opportunities for students, researchers and industry in textiles and allied areas.
