LUCKNOW, July 14 -- In a move to boost employability of engineering students, the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), a constituent college of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), is set to launch a state-of-the-art centre of excellence (CoE) in energy management and automation technology. The facility is aligned with India's Net Zero 2070 goals and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, said electrical engineering HoD Prof Anurag Tripathi. "The CoE is set to operate as a high-powered training and employment engine, directly preparing engineering students for the smart grid, clean energy and industrial automation sectors," he said. The centre will house 11 labs including digital automation, advanced automation, industrial internet of things (IIOT), predictive maintenance, operational technology (OT), cybersecurity, advanced robotics, industry 4.0, energy quality and efficiency, smart power distribution, industrial automation, building automation and electrical design and validation. "The CoE will help with an immediate shift from traditional textbook learning to intensive hands-on industry exposure. Undergraduates and postgraduates will gain direct access to cutting-edge infrastructure, including advanced automation labs featuring programmable logic controllers and supervisory control and data acquisition systems, smart energy microgrid testbeds and simulation centres equipped with top-tier industrial software," said vice chancellor Prof JP Pandey. He said students will develop critical, real-world skills in smart meter installation, solar photo-voltic design, electric vehicle battery management and green hydrogen basics. "The centre ensures that every participating student will graduate with two to three industry-recognised certifications alongside at least one live project completed in collaboration with power utilities, manufacturing units and tech startups," he added. The CoE will bridge the gap between academic curriculum and actual market demands by training over 1500 students annually - targeting more than 4500 skilled engineers over the next three years from IET Lucknow and university's affiliated institutions across the state along with engineering colleges and polytechnics in and around the city. "Not just students of the institute or affiliated colleges of the university, but also other engineering colleges and polytechnics will receive training and placement under the CoE," said Tripathi. He also added that the ecosystem, backed by industry giants and national skill bodies, targets 80% placement rate. It will equip graduates with technical expertise, soft skills and portfolio readiness required to immediately step into high-demand roles as energy analysts, grid engineers and automation specialists worldwide. "We will also try to build such CoEs in other parts of the state," he added....