TIRUPATI (India CSR): Kia India and the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati (IIT Tirupati) today marked a significant milestone in their strategic partnership with the inauguration of the Inspire Works – The Makers Lab at IIT Tirupati. This event comes over a year after the landmark MoU signed between the two institutions on 9th May 2025 and celebrates the successful completion of Phase A of the Makers Lab including the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment transforming the vision of a collaborative innovation space into a vibrant reality.
The inauguration was a momentous occasion, with Taehyun Kim, Chief Administrative Officer, Kia India, and Prof. K.N. Satyanarayana, Director, IIT Tirupati, jointly unveiling the ‘Inspire Works’ identity, symbolizing the spirit of collaboration that defines this partnership. The event brought together academia, industry, and students in a shared celebration of innovation, with Kia-llTT scholarship recipients engaging directly with Kia’s senior leadership – a reflection of the human impact at the heart of this initiative.
The Inspire Works is envisioned as a state-of-the-art collaborative space where students can conceptualize, design, and develop functional prototypes, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world applications. The lab is part of Kia India’s investment of more than INR 25 crores at IIT Tirupati over a period of 5 Years, which also encompasses Student scholarships, Research & Development etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Taehyun Kim, Chief Administrative Officer, Kia India, said, “The Inspire Works Makers Lab is a testament to Kia India’s belief in the power of collaborative innovation. By investing in world-class infrastructure at IIT Tirupati, we are creating an ecosystem where young engineers can transform ideas into real-world impact. This is more than a laboratory- it is a launchpad for the innovators and problem-solvers who will shape India’s future.” Expressing his delight on the occasion, Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana, Director, IIT Tirupati, said, “We are extremely happy to see this partnership grow stronger with every passing milestone. I hope Inspire Works will become a hub of creativity not only for IIT Tirupati students but also for school students, faculty members, startups, and innovators from the wider community. I encourage every learner who enters this space to think boldly, work diligently, and use technology responsibly for the benefit of society.”
The event was attended by senior leadership from Kia India, including Jungho An, Head – CSR, Corporate Affairs & PR, Hongsung Park, Head – HR Strategy, Geunbum Kim, Senior Advisor – HR and other executives. From IIT Tirupati, the event was graced by Dean GAC, Prof. Suresh Jain, Faculty In charge Makers lab, Dr. D.V. Kiran, all Deans and Heads of Departments, Faculty, and Staff.
(India CSR)
