The National Training Centre of Royal Enfield was inaugurated at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science on 30 November 2022. Earlier, a Blessing Ceremony was held at the facility. The service was conducted by Rev. Justin Jose, Student Chaplain, HITS in the presence of Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Pro Chancellor; Directors - Dr. Ashok G. Verghese and Dr. Aby Sam; Dr. S. N. Sridhara, Vice Chancellor; Dr. Pon Ramalingam, Registrar; Deans, Heads of the Departments, staff and students.
Mr. B. Govindarajan, CEO, Royal Enfield was the Chief Guest and Mr. Rajeev Sharma, CHRO, Royal Enfield was the Guest of Honour for the inauguration. The event commenced with the opening of the hub by Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Pro Chancellor and Mr. B. Govindarajan, CEO, Royal Enfield and unveiling of the plague as a signet for the inauguration.
At the inaugural ceremony, Mr. B. Govindarajan, CEO, Royal Enfield said that he was elated to be at HITS on this auspicious occasion. He also informed that the training hub at HITS is the 15th centre in India and also is a milestone for RE because it is the first of its kind to be established inside an academic institution. Mr. Govindarajan assured that the trainee-students from HITS can undergo internship at RE and also stand an opportunity for a job placement in the company. He concluded his speech by wishing the students and trainers a successful learning experience.
In his presidential address, Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese welcomed the dignitaries and the audience for the inaugural ceremony. He narrated the history of Hindustan Engineering Training Centre established in 1966 by Dr. K.C. G. Verghese, the Founder Chairman, whose vision was to provide a non-formal technical education. He pointed out that HITS has achieved many laurels in aviation, management, law, fashion and the other branches also. He said that it is a special occasion because HITS has brought a prominent motorcycle industry, the Royal Enfield, to the campus. He said that the iconic brand’s experiential training hub will provide students opportunities to be placed in a core industry. He urged the students to utilize the hub for their academic and professional betterment.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr. S. N. Sridhara, Vice Chancellor, HITS. He said that it is another day of achievement for HITS as the vision of the Founder Chairman is being realised. The training hub is built on an area of 10,000 sq. ft. based on the MoU signed between HITS and Royal Enfield. He said that the centre will throw open training facilities to both the employees of RE and the staff and students of HITS. The Vice Chancellor also briefed the audience about HITS and the accolades achieved by the Institution. The event also witnessed the release of the Brochure of the Royal Enfield Experiential Training Hub. The first copy was released by Mr. B. Govindarajan, CEO, RE and the same was received by the Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Pro Chancellor, HITS. In order to celebrate the advent season, the dignitaries joined together for the cake mixing and tree plantation event. The inaugural ceremony concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. P. Vijayabalan, Head, Department of Mechanical Science.
The special occasion also witnessed the Royal Enfield bike rally. The Safety Gear Awareness Rally was flagged off by Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Pro Chancellor, Dr. Ashok G. Verghese, Director and Mr. B. Govindarajan, CEO, RE. It started from HITS to Mahabalipuram and then returned to the Bay Range Campus. Around 50 riders comprising of staff and students of HITS with their Royal Enfield bikes participated in the rally.