Coventry University Collaborates with Indian Institutions to Advance Hydrogen Fuel Cell Education

Coventry University is expanding its global engagement in clean energy education through a new partnership with two leading Indian institutions to promote knowledge and skills in hydrogen fuel cell technology.

In collaboration with Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), the university has launched an online course aimed at equipping learners with a strong foundation in hydrogen energy systems. The initiative focuses on digital delivery of education and includes interactive virtual labs, open-access materials, and industry-oriented learning.

The project has been supported by a £10,000 grant from the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships initiative under the Online Distant and Digitally Delivered Learning (ODDL) scheme. Its broader objective is to support workforce development for the green economy by fostering technical and employable skills relevant to hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell design.

Dr Sanju Thomas, Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Coventry University and lead academic for the project, explained the initiative’s goals:

“We aim to bridge the digital education gap by designing virtual labs, webinars and open educational content focused on hydrogen production, storage, fuel cell design and applications.
This project supports the objectives of the UK–India 2030 Roadmap and national hydrogen strategies while preparing learners for roles in the evolving clean energy sector.”

The course development has involved collaboration among Coventry University academics including Dr Jayesh Shanthi Bhavan, who co-led the project, Dr Maria Tareen, and Dr Oliver Curnick from the Research Centre for E-Mobility and Clean Growth, which contributed access to research resources and facilities.

At CUSAT, Dr Biju N, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, welcomed the collaboration and highlighted the importance of hydrogen technology in energy transition:

“It is our privilege to associate with Coventry University for this project. Since hydrogen fuel cells are expected to play a crucial role in the future of clean transportation and energy storage, the participants immensely benefit from the course. While hydrogen fuel cells are not yet a mainstream technology, advancements in production, storage and infrastructure are expected to drive their adoption in the coming years.”

Dr P S Robi, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Guwahati, added that the project reflects a growing international commitment to sustainable energy innovation:

“This project represents a pivotal effort to strengthen international collaboration between academia and industry stakeholders. By aligning expertise and resources, the project seeks to advance sustainable hydrogen production, transport and fuel cell technologies, laying the foundation for a cleaner low carbon future.”

This announcement comes on the heels of Coventry University’s similar collaboration in Egypt, where it is working with the British University in Egypt to establish a Hydrogen Energy Training Hub, underlining the university’s commitment to supporting global transitions to clean energy through education.