Chennai: FedEx Corporation, the world's largest express transportation firm, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to launch the FedEx SMART (Supply Chain Modelling, Algorithms, Research and Technology) Centre on the institute's campus.

The five-year initiative, backed by a USD 5 million grant from FedEx, aims to develop sustainable and technology-driven logistics solutions. The hub will focus on reimagining supply chains for agility, resilience, and environmental responsibility through research in artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, warehouse automation, and carbon-neutral operations.

The centre was inaugurated by Kami Viswanathan, President, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, FedEx, along with Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice-President, Marketing and Customer Experience, FedEx MEISA, and IIT Madras Director Prof. V Kamakoti.

“This centre is more than a research hub. It's where technology and talent combine to build smarter, more sustainable supply chains,” said Viswanathan. Tatiwala added that the partnership would co-develop AI-powered, data-driven solutions to help businesses scale responsibly.

The centre has already rolled out initiatives including national competitions attracting over 3,000 students, internships for 40 top candidates from 1,500 applications, and 25-plus industry-academic projects under four focus areas. It has also hosted more than 35 expert sessions and supported 17 faculty proposals on AI, sustainability, and logistics innovation.

Prof. Kamakoti said the collaboration would address complex logistics challenges while enhancing human resources and infrastructure. “Sound and efficient logistics define the economy of a nation,” he noted.