By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

On January 9, 2026, Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute (DBITI), Kurla, achieved a significant milestone with the formal inauguration of the “Data Centre Management Centre of Excellence.” This state-of-the-art facility, housed in the Innovation Lab, is the product of a strategic collaboration between DBITI and OCS Group India Pvt Ltd, a global leader in data centre management. The event brought together industry giants and the DBITI leadership, including Mr. Manoj Parekh (Managing Director, OCS Group India), Fr. Anthony Pinto (Rector and Director, DBCL), Mr. Mahesh Trivedi (Data Centre Veteran), Mr. Prashant Upasani (Head of Data Centre Operations at CapitaLand), and Mr. Amarr Prabhu (Principal, DBITI). This initiative stands out as a unique industry-academic bridge designed to equip students with highly specialized skills for the rapidly evolving digital infrastructure sector.

The journey toward this Centre of Excellence began just months ago when the HR team from OCS visited the campus for routine recruitment. Recognizing a larger opportunity, Principal Amarr Prabhu proposed moving beyond traditional placement by setting up a dedicated training facility right here at Don Bosco, Kurla. This vision led to the signing of an MOU in October 2025 and the rapid realization of the lab.

The primary objective of this partnership is to develop a "future-ready workforce" for data centre facilities. To achieve this, a specially curated 90-day course has been launched. The program features a rigorous "60-30" model: 60 days of intensive technical training at the DBITI centre followed by 30 days of on-the-job training (OJT) within the industry.

The inauguration ceremony featured insightful addresses that blended technical knowledge with life lessons. Mr. Sumit opened the session by explaining the initiative’s core goal of filling the talent gap in data centre facility management. Mr. Mahesh Trivedi, despite his veteran status, inspired the students by stating he is still a "student at heart" as he explained the intricate functioning of data centre facilities.

Mr. Manoj Parekh led an engaging activity for the trainees, emphasizing the vital importance of following instructions. He noted:

"At the end of the day, you will get success when you listen to your trainers, parents, or bosses... when you follow instructions and when you do it correctly." Mr. Parekh also shared a presentation on OCS's 125-year legacy and discussed cutting-edge technologies like liquid and immersion cooling—innovations essential for maintaining the uninterrupted operation of modern data centres. This was echoed by Mr. Prashant Upasani, who highlighted that as India digitizes, the demand for skilled manpower to manage the "backbone" of our daily digital lives has never been higher.

The significance of the collaboration was a key theme for the DBITI leadership. Principal Amarr Prabhu expressed his joy in seeing the "fruits" of the proposal turn into a program that is likely unavailable anywhere else in the country. He remarked on the honour of partnering two great legacies: OCS with its 125-year history and the global mission of Don Bosco, spanning over 200 years.

Fr. Anthony Pinto emphasized the reliability of the DBITI brand, stating that in a world driven by technology, "every Don Bosco trainee is a reliable, skilled person wherever they are placed." Following the speeches, Mr. Manoj Parekh presented special mementos to the guests as a token of appreciation.

The inauguration of this Centre of Excellence is a transformative step for DBITI. It aligns perfectly with the institute’s mission to provide world-class, job-oriented technical training that meets modern industrial demands.

The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem and a networking session over refreshments, marking the beginning of a new era in technical education at Kurla.