Mumbai, 18th May, 2026 — Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd., under the leadership of Mr. B. Prabhakaran, is supporting technical education and industry-oriented learning initiatives through the University Institute of Technology (UIT) in Gadchiroli.
Under the aegis of Gondwana University the university aims to empower the local people of the Gadchiroli region by providing quality education and skills in Engineering and Technology.
UIT had recently received the Extension of Approval (EoA) for its Diploma programmes, along with approval for new B-Tech programmes in Mining Engineering, manufacturing Engineering and Computer Science Engineering.
The initiative reflects the growing importance of collaboration between academia and industry in strengthening India’s evolving education ecosystem, especially in Gadchiroli, one of the most severely affected regions by Naxalite-Maoist insurgency.
Speaking on the development, Mr. B. Prabhakaran, MD, Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd (LMEL) said, “Regions like Gadchiroli have always had strong potential but limited access to quality education and industry exposure. With growing industrial activity, it is crucial to ensure that local students are imparted with technical education so that they can also become a part of this growth story.
Institutions like UIT play an instrumental role in bridging the gap between industry and education by creating opportunities that combine academic learning with practical skills. Our aim is to boost the skills, confidence and abilities among the youth of the region to takeover long-term opportunities.”
The institute’s approach emphasises industry-integrated education, innovation-driven learning and employability-focused training aligned with emerging engineering and technology requirements. It also aims to create broader educational opportunities for students from rural and aspirational regions.
UIT was established in 2025, under a PPP model between Gondwana University and Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd; with a positive motive that technical education should not remain limited to larger urban centres alone, but it should also provide scope and potential in emerging industrial corridors so that it can create meaningful opportunities for students, thus strengthening and creating local capabilities and employment ecosystems.
About Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited
Established in 1977, Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited is a leading player in India’s metals and mining industry. With operations in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, LMEL is advancing towards a sustainable and integrated steel business. The company operates the largest iron ore mine in India, with plans to increase dispatchable iron ore capacity to 26 MTPA. LMEL is also scaled its DRI production to 0.7 MTPA and has commissioned a 4 MTPA pellet plant, with plans to increase pellet production capacity to a total of 12 MTPA. Additionally, LMEL is establishing its first integrated steel plant with a wire-rod capacity of 1.2 MTPA, followed by a 3 MTPA HRC plant in the future. The company is committed to sustainable practices, including the use of battery-operated vehicles and EV fleets for mining operations, establishing slurry pipelines to reduce carbon emissions, and prioritizing renewable energy solutions.
