MIT PG Lighting Technology Programme (2007) — ISLE Press Coverage

In August 2007, the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT MAEER), Pune formally launched the Lighting Research Academy (MITLRA) and India's first industry-oriented postgraduate programme in Lighting Technology and Management (LTM). The initiative addressed a recognised shortage of trained professionals capable of marketing, engineering, and managing lighting products in India's fast-growing lighting industry.

Programme launch

The academy was inaugurated by Rajesh Kochhar, Business CEO of Wipro Lighting. The first batch enrolled 60 students. Plans were announced for part-time and distance learning programmes. The curriculum was developed in close consultation with industry experts and included specialised areas such as ultraviolet and infrared lighting applications.

MIT worked with the Electrical Lamp and Component Manufacturers' Association of India (ELCOMA) to develop the course. A computer-aided lighting laboratory was established at MITLRA. Industry partners included Philips India, Wipro Lighting, Crompton Greaves, Bajaj Electricals, and Osram.

ISLE's role

The programme had its roots in a national workshop on Vision for Lighting Technology organised by the Indian Society of Lighting Engineers (ISLE) and MIT. ISLE President Avinash Kulkarni was among the key figures associated with the initiative alongside Dr. Vishwanath Karad, founder head of the MIT Group of Institutions, Dr. Prakash Barjatia (Director, Lighting Research Academy), and Manoj Verma, Vice President (Lighting) at Crompton Greaves.

Press coverage — August 2007

Newspaper coverage of MIT lighting technology programme launch, August 2007 — *The Times of India* (10 Aug 2007), *The Indian Express* (10 Aug 2007), and *Nav Bharat* (14 Aug 2007)

The Times of India — 10 August 2007

"MIT offers course in lighting technology." The Times reported that MIT had launched a fully autonomous postgraduate programme in lighting and technology management, developed with ELCOMA. Manoj Verma of Crompton Greaves noted the shortage of trained personnel in the lighting industry. The report highlighted MITLRA's computer-aided lighting laboratory and participation from Philips India, Wipro Lighting, and Bajaj Electricals.

The Indian Express — 10 August 2007

"MIT launches course in lighting technology." Reporting from Pune on 9 August, the Express noted the formal launch of the Lighting Research Academy, inaugurated by Rajesh Kochhar of Wipro Lighting. The curriculum was developed with industry input, with roots in the ISLE–MIT workshop on Vision for Lighting Technology held on 20 April.

Indian Express and Nav Bharat newspaper clippings on MIT lighting programme, 2007 — Additional press clippings from *The Indian Express* and *Nav Bharat*

Nav Bharat — 14 August 2007

The Hindi daily reported that Wipro's Rajesh Kochhar performed the inauguration of the Light Technology Management programme. The article noted the lighting market's growth and the participation of ISLE, ELCOMA, and leading manufacturers. A national-level workshop on lighting technology had earlier been held at the MIT Pune campus on 26 April 2006, with international participation from the United States.

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MIT PG Lighting Technology & Management Programme (2007)