Pune: SPPU to have “Dr. Pramod Chaudhari Centre of Excellence for Advanced Bioeconomy”
Pune, 18th May 2026: The Savitribai Phule Pune University will soon have “Dr. Pramod Chaudhari Centre of Excellence for Advanced Bioeconomy” at its campus to perform research, enhance knowledge of bio resources and its utilization for the benefits of the mankind through applications majorly in the field of sustainable development and circular bioeconomy.
The ceremonial function of coconut breaking for initiation of furnishing and interior work for the Centre took place recently at the SPPU Campus. Dr. Suresh Gosavi, Vice Chancellor SPPU, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman – Praj Industries, Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro VC SSPU, Ravindra Shingnapurkar, Management Council Member of SPPU, Prafulla Pawar, Acting Registrar of SPPU, Dr. Somnath Nandi from the Department of Technology – SPPU along with Ghanshyam Deshpande, Atul Mulay, Dr Pramod Kumbhar, Dattatraya Nimbolkar, Anand Ghosalkar from Praj were present on the occasion.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between Dr. Pramod Chaudhari and Savitribai Phule Pune University for the establishment of “Dr. Pramod Chaudhari Centre of Excellence for Advanced Bioeconomy” and Dr. Pramod Chaudhari has decided to donate Rs.75 Lakhs (Rupees seventy five lakhs only) for establishing the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Bioeconomy at Savitribai Phule Pune University.
The Centre which will housed near the Department of Technology at SPPU will conduct research and educational activities in the frontier areas like artificial intelligence (AI), Sustainability and life cycle analysis of bio-based technologies and synthetic biology. The centre will also conduct relevant courses on bioeconomy and allied subjects, foster industry-academia collaboration and perform outreach activities through conferences, workshop and Faculty Development Programs (FDP). The centre will be housed near the Department of Technology, in Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Pramod Chaudhari said, “The end products coming out of research from the centre that will contribute towards sustainability of the bioeconomy would be important. Bioecnomy is gaining importance and technology including AI is expected to dominate this segment as well. So, the students who wish to work in this area need to be given proper training. Our staff will also engage in training the students at this centre.”
Dr. Suresh Gosavi said, “Circular economy, advanced bioeconomy is the theme of the future and I am glad that such a centre is being set up with the help of Dr Pramod Chaudhari at SPPU. This collaboration is a significant one and here academia will get benefited due to the participation of industry experts. We hope that solutions related to environment problems will come out from the research work that will be carried out at this centre. This centre will start operating from the upcoming academic year 2026-27.”
G.B. Deshpande dwelt upon the advantages of Indusry and Academia partnership in the field of Bieconomy due to establishment of the Centre.
At the start of the program Dr. Somnath Nandi made a presentation about the proposed activities at the centre and Dr. Vandana Dhingra played the role on an anchor for the program.
