Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore, a premier skill-driven university, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Retailers Association of India (RAI), the country’s leading retail industry body, to establish a Centre of Excellence in Retail (CoE–Retail) on the SUAS campus.
The MoU was formally signed between Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Pro-Chancellor, SUAS, and Mr. Kumar Rajagopal, CEO, RAI, in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Vinith Kumar Nair, Vice Chancellor, SUAS, and Dr. Lawrence Fernandes, Director Retail Learning & Member Relationship , marking a major milestone in strengthening industry–academia collaboration.
This partnership aims to enhance skill development, promote industry-relevant learning, and create future-ready professionals for the retail sector.
Driving Retail Innovation & Skill Development
The newly established CoE–Retail aims to serve as a national hub for retail innovation, research, skill development, and entrepreneurship. By integrating advanced technologies, analytics, consumer insights, and digital retail transformation, the Centre will focus on building the future workforce for India’s rapidly evolving retail sector.
Key objectives of the CoE include:
– Strengthening upskilling and reskilling among retail professionals.
– Establishing a Retail Talent Development Model with brand mentorship.
– Creating a Retail Innovation Lab for AI, automation, analytics, and sustainability.
– Supporting startups and entrepreneurship in retail technology.
– Promoting applied research, industry-funded projects, and policy insights.
In this Strategic Partnership SUAS will:
– Provide infrastructure, faculty, and academic support for the CoE.
– Facilitate incubation and innovation activities.
– Deliver skill-based programs and integrate CoE initiatives with academic curricula.
– Mobilize students and researchers for internships, projects, and industry assignments.
RAI will:
– Provide access to industry insights and retail leaders.
– Facilitate collaborations with member retailers for internships and live projects.
– Co-develop certification and training programs that meet industry standards.
Both institutions will jointly host conferences, policy roundtables, workshops, innovation challenges, and publish research reports contributing to national retail policies.
Why Indore? Strategic Advantage
Located at the heart of Central India’s booming retail ecosystem, SUAS offers proximity to malls, wholesale markets, logistics hubs, and e-commerce warehouses—making it an ideal location for a Centre of Excellence in Retail. This ecosystem supports real-time testing of retail innovations, consumer analytics, and supply chain collaborations.
Expected Outcomes
Through this partnership, SUAS and RAI envision:
– Recognition of SUAS as India’s leading CoE in Retail.
– Training thousands of students and professionals annually.
– Establishing a Retail Innovation & Analytics Lab.
– Annual publication of a Central India Retail Competitiveness Report.
– Launching retail-tech startups and fostering innovation-driven careers.
A Future-Ready Retail Workforce
This MoU strengthens the commitment of SUAS and RAI to empower the next generation of retail professionals through practical learning, industry partnerships, and cutting-edge technology integration. It marks a significant step toward building a robust, future-ready talent pipeline for India’s retail sector.
