• The new R&D centre marks another milestone for the Foundation’s positive interventions in India
• Research to focus on enriching the curriculum of civil engineering and architecture programs by introducing in-depth modules on off-site and modular constructions

Faizal & Shabana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of KEF Holdings, today institutes a Research and Development Centre (R&D) at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) in India driven by the Foundation’s commitment enhance creativity, encourage development and innovation in smart construction.

To commemorate the launch, MIT alumni, Faizal E. Kottikollon Co-Founder of Faizal & Shabana Foundation, and Founder & Chairman of KEF Holdings along with Dr.H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, Manipal and Dr. Narayan Sabhahit, Registrar, MAHE, Manipal, inaugurated the new centre on Friday, January 17, 2020. The key was handed over to Dr. Purushotham G.S, Head of Department, Civil Engineering during this prestigious launch ceremony.

On the heels of recognition as a leader in offsite building manufacturing, Faizal & Shabana Foundation’s contribution in the new R&D centre is a strategic step in continued innovation and product development in fast-forwarding infrastructure efforts in India. The new centre has grown the institute’s team to a number of employees across Engineering, Sales, IT services, Customer support, HR, and Finance.

The development centre will have core competencies in civil engineering and architecture and will cover aspects such as offsite manufacturing, structural engineering, and research on precast joints. The new centre has a floor space of approximately 60,000 square feet featuring innovative, inclusive, future-ready workstations, sound-proofed booths, and collaborative discussion pods, to name a few. The interior of the building also boasts natural lighting and wide-open spaces to create a stimulating work environment.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Faizal E. Kottikollon, said: “The new Research and Development Centre developed by Faizal & Shabana Foundation at Manipal Institute of Technology in India will provide young and promising engineers with practical experience in offsite manufacturing. Engineers will be working with the best faculty and minds to repeatedly improve the design, build and assemble techniques of offsite manufacturing. My vision is that this centre becomes a Centre of Excellence for all things related to offsite manufacturing, and we emerge with innovations, patents, and worldwide recognition. Most importantly, I want this centre to be the founding stone for furthering progress through infrastructure for the nation.”

“At the Foundation, we believe that we must constantly seek to improve our knowledge. In an endeavour to achieve this we partnered with Manipal University one of India’s leading institution offering specialised technology and engineering courses”; Mr. Kottikollon further added.

Faizal & Shabana Foundation have taken a number of steps to accelerate innovation in India to be future ready. With the recent investment in the new Research and Development Centre at Manipal Institute of Technology, the company continues to foster innovation, inclusiveness and encourage engineers with the relevant competencies and knowledge to ride the growth and demand for new offsite manufacturing technologies in the industry. The Foundation is also working with MIT to introduce a course in precast and offsite manufacturing to help fast forward India.