Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has partnered with Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) Japan, to collaborate on research, advisory, and student projects. The partnership agreement was signed by Prof Errol D’Souza, Director, IIMA, and Kinji Saito, Director and Senior Managing Officer, Suzuki Motor Corporation at the IIMA campus.

The IIMA-SMC partnership will start with a research project led by IIMA faculty to advise SMC on their future business diversification strategy in India and globally. Signing the partnership agreement, Prof Errol D’Souza, Director, IIMA highlighted the spirit of collaboration embedded in both organisations, a release from the institute, said.

“Our faculty have built a rich repository of research in strategy, mobility, and transportation areas and this collaboration will create more opportunities for us to contribute to the world of practice. SMC has had a successful journey in India and a significant impact on the Indian economy over the last many decades. The partnership will also open avenues for our students to work with the SMC teams on projects and to understand how they have had a sustained impact in the Indian market,” he said

Kinji Saito, speaking on behalf of SMC, said that “We are excited for this new partnership with IIMA. We are looking forward to the unique ideas created through this collaboration.” Speaking to IIMA students on the occasion, Saito traced SMC’s rich history of customer-centric innovations. He further emphasised India’s pivotal role in SMC’s strategic vision for the future.