Ansys, now operating under Synopsys, has announced a partnership with the U.S.-based nonprofit Maker Bhavan Foundation to provide advanced simulation software to engineering students at tier-2 colleges in India.
The collaboration, dubbed the Synopsys-MBF Simulation Education Program, will equip up to six institutions with academic licenses for Ansys' multiphysics simulation solutions. Students and faculty at participating colleges will gain access to the same professional-grade tools used in top-tier engineering programs, along with training resources through the Ansys Learning Hub.
The program targets students studying at MBF-supported makerspaces known as Tinkerers' Labs. According to Damayanti Bhattacharya, CEO of Maker Bhavan Foundation, the initiative aims to address resource disparities between premier and tier-2 institutions. "This collaboration levels the playing field for students who might otherwise be overlooked," Bhattacharya said in a statement.
Under the agreement, Ansys will provide technical mentorship, organize hackathons and workshops, and support training programs for both students and faculty. The Maker Bhavan Foundation will serve as an intermediary between the institutions and Synopsys, monitoring implementation and tracking educational outcomes.
Mike Yeager, Area Vice President for India and Japan at Ansys, part of Synopsys, emphasized the partnership's focus on developing technical talent. "By bringing global technology to local classrooms, we are empowering students in India to innovate and solve real-world problems," Yeager stated.
The initial partnership is set for one year. Both organizations have indicated plans to expand the program to additional institutions and extend to multi-year engagements if the pilot phase proves successful.
Maker Bhavan Foundation works with higher education institutions across India to establish maker spaces and facilitate industry partnerships aimed at developing practical engineering skills. Synopsys, which acquired Ansys, provides silicon design, simulation, and analysis solutions to technology companies worldwide.