Shroff S.R. Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology (SRICT), Ankleshwar has established UPL Center of Excellence (CoE) in Safety in collaboration with Gexcon, Norway.

Under the CoE, Gexcon AS will support and coordinate with the University of Bergen in Norway and develop higher education and research programs in safety for SRICT. This safety program is expected to open a new domain constituting trained experts in risk assessment and performing consequence analysis using advanced techniques in the field of process safety.

Speaking about CoE, Vikram Shroff, Director, UPL Limited said, "The hazards on the shop floor can only be minimized/avoided through constructive application of the latest knowledge and appropriate use of technology. The CoE, in due course will strut its stuff. I am sure the chemical industry will welcome “UPL CoE-Safety” and would join hands to Make India Safer while Make in India."

The CoE is bracing up to accept challenges for making the industrial facilities a safer place, protecting human lives, environment, and properties. Zero accidents in industries is a reachable target when an attitude of caring meets sharing of relevant knowledge. The CoE also attempts to bring in experts from industry, government, and academia to share their views on safety on one platform thereby aiming to reduce risk and hazards in chemical industries.

The Centre of Excellence will also be helpful for the SRICT students as well as industries located in and around Ankleshwar in Gujarat in matters related to industrial safety.

Commenting about Centre of Excellence in safety, Ashok Panjwani, Executive Director, UPL Limited and President, UPL University of Sustainable Technology said, "The Center of Excellence (CoE) in Safety is an example of the confluence of scientific knowledge and its application for human safety, social responsibility of Industry, and a direct service of an academic institute towards industry and the nation both."

SRICT focuses on Chemical Technology (covering Chemical Engineering and other Chemical Technology courses) and its guiding philosophy is to create R&D infrastructure in these areas (including trained manpower) to meet the industrial needs of Gujarat. The current degree programmes are designed to provide flexible training for students to meet the future demands of the process industry. The diverse curricula and training offered make the graduates employable in chemical and process industries.