IIM Udaipur Partners with SECI to Boost Renewable Energy Education

The Indian Institute of Management Udaipur has taken a significant step to strengthen the link between management education and India’s renewable energy sector. On 26 August 2026, IIM Udaipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to deepen collaboration in teaching, research, executive education and policy advocacy related to clean energy.

The agreement aims to create structured pathways for students and faculty to engage with real-world challenges in the renewable energy industry. Under the partnership, both institutions will work together to develop specialised teaching cases, pursue advanced academic research, design executive education programmes and support targeted policy initiatives. Students will also gain practical exposure through internships, consulting assignments and live industry projects with SECI.

IIM Udaipur described the collaboration as a shared commitment to advance knowledge, leadership and innovation in the renewable energy sector. The institute believes the partnership will help create meaningful opportunities for young professionals who wish to build careers in clean energy and sustainability.

The timing of the MoU is notable. India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity at a rapid pace, with solar power playing a central role in the country’s energy transition. SECI, as a key public sector organisation driving large-scale solar and renewable projects, brings substantial industry expertise and project experience to the table. By partnering with a premier management institute, SECI is strengthening its engagement with academia to support talent development and knowledge creation.

This is not SECI’s first recent academic collaboration. Last month, the corporation signed a separate MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). That agreement focused on policy research, market design and knowledge exchange aimed at supporting a clean, reliable and affordable electricity sector. The latest partnership with IIM Udaipur extends SECI’s academic outreach into management education, leadership development and applied industry projects.

For IIM Udaipur, the collaboration aligns with a growing emphasis on industry-relevant learning in emerging sectors. Renewable energy requires not only technical expertise but also strong managerial, financial, policy and strategic capabilities. The institute’s involvement is expected to help students understand project financing, policy frameworks, market dynamics, supply-chain issues and the commercial realities of large-scale clean energy deployment.

The MoU outlines several concrete areas of cooperation. Faculty and researchers from IIM Udaipur will work with SECI professionals to develop teaching cases based on actual renewable energy projects and challenges. These cases can then be used in classrooms to give students realistic problem-solving experience. Joint research projects are also planned, covering topics such as renewable energy policy, market design, project management and the economic impact of clean energy transition.

Executive education forms another important pillar. The partnership will support short-term and mid-career programmes aimed at professionals already working in the energy sector or those looking to transition into it. These programmes can help build managerial capacity within the industry at a time when India is scaling up renewable installations and related infrastructure.

Also Read: IIM Udaipur Launches BBA Program with Bilingual Support

Student opportunities are expected to be particularly valuable. Internships and live projects with SECI will allow IIM Udaipur students to work on real assignments, gaining exposure to project development, policy implementation, stakeholder management and commercial decision-making in the renewable energy domain. Consulting assignments may further enable students to apply classroom learning to practical industry problems.

The broader context for such partnerships is India’s ambitious clean energy targets. The country has set significant goals for renewable capacity addition and is working to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while ensuring energy security and affordability. Achieving these objectives requires a steady pipeline of professionals who understand both the technical and managerial dimensions of the energy transition. Academic-industry collaborations of this nature are seen as one way to build that pipeline.

For SECI, engaging with management institutes helps strengthen the ecosystem around renewable energy. Beyond project execution, the sector needs skilled professionals in areas such as financing, risk management, policy analysis, community engagement and organisational leadership. By opening doors to students and researchers, SECI can contribute to the development of this talent base while also gaining fresh perspectives from academic inquiry.

IIM Udaipur’s location in Rajasthan adds another layer of relevance. The state is one of India’s leading regions for solar power development, with abundant sunlight and large-scale projects already operational or under development. Proximity to this ecosystem may facilitate field visits, project-based learning and closer interaction between students and industry practitioners.

The partnership also reflects a wider trend in Indian higher education. Leading management institutes are increasingly seeking deeper ties with industry to make programmes more applied and career-oriented. In sectors such as renewable energy, where technology, policy and markets are evolving quickly, such collaborations help keep curricula and research relevant.

While the MoU sets the framework for cooperation, the real impact will depend on how effectively both sides implement the planned activities. Successful development of teaching cases, meaningful research output, well-designed executive programmes and valuable student experiences will determine whether the partnership delivers lasting benefits.

As India accelerates its clean energy transition, the need for informed leadership and skilled professionals will only grow. The collaboration between IIM Udaipur and SECI represents a practical step towards building that capability by bringing academic rigour and industry experience together. For students interested in sustainability, energy and infrastructure, it opens new avenues for learning and career development at the intersection of management and renewable power.