Some learning experiences cannot be created inside a classroom. They have to be lived. For students at University of Southampton Delhi, one such experience unfolded during a recent immersive visit to the Maruti Suzuki Innovation Gym in Gurugram, Delhi NCR, India. This was not a conventional industry tour or a classroom lecture. It was a hands-on engagement with one of India’s most forward-thinking innovation ecosystems, where students did not just observe but actively participated, challenged ideas, and pitched their own solutions to industry leaders.

Understanding open innovation in India
The global business landscape has evolved. Today’s most competitive organisations do not rely only on internal teams for solutions to their most complex innovation problems. They build ecosystems, collaborate with start-ups, and co-create solutions at speed. Maruti Suzuki represents one of the strongest examples of this approach in India. At its Innovation Gym, the company connects with entrepreneurs and start-ups from across the world, running structured innovation cycles that translate ideas into scalable, real-world solutions. For students, understanding this model from the inside offers a significant advantage. It bridges the gap between academic theory and industry practice, equipping them with insights that define modern careers in business, technology, and entrepreneurship.

From learning to doing
From the moment students stepped into the Innovation Gym, the focus was on active learning. They explored how organisations identify high-impact problem statements, how global start-up partnerships are built, and how rapid experimentation and prototyping are executed at scale. What stood out was how seamlessly classroom learning translated into professional engagement.

Our students demonstrated analytical thinking, asked sharp questions, and evaluated business models with clarity and confidence. These are not additional skills. They are outcomes of a curriculum designed to prepare students for real-world challenges from day one.

Pitching ideas to industry leaders
A defining highlight of the visit was the pitch session with the Maruti Suzuki Innovation team. Students presented their own ideas and solutions, shaped by their academic work and refined through the day’s learning. This is where the difference lies. Pitching in a real business environment demands precision, confidence, and the ability to defend ideas under pressure. Our students rose to that challenge, demonstrating not just knowledge but professional readiness.

Why Gurugram matters
The University of Southampton Delhi sits at the centre of one of India’s most dynamic business ecosystems. From global corporations to high-growth start-ups, the city offers unmatched exposure to real industry environments. This location is not incidental. It is strategic. Through curated industry visits, live projects, and ongoing professional engagement, students gain continuous exposure to how organisations operate, innovate, and scale. Learning is not confined to lectures but extended into the real world throughout the academic journey.

Preparing future-ready graduates
India is one of the fastest growing major economies and home to a thriving start-up ecosystem. Being educated in this environment gives students a unique advantage. They graduate not only with academic knowledge but with a deep understanding of how industries function and evolve. Experiences like the Maruti Suzuki Innovation Gym visit reflect a clear philosophy. Education should prepare students not just to understand the world, but to actively shape it. At University of Southampton Delhi, learning is not just about acquiring knowledge. It is about applying it, testing it, and transforming it into real impact.

Author: Dr Vishal Talwar, Chief Operating Officer at University of Southampton Delhi and Mr. Reyansh Srivastava

Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026

This article reflects the thoughts, opinions and experiences of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official view of University of Southampton Delhi. You should confirm and check factual information presented in this article before making decisions based on its content.