Launch of FedEx ALFA and FedEx Lounge

IIT Bombay and FedEx India marked a key milestone in their ongoing industry-academia partnership with the formal inauguration of the IITB–FedEx Centre for Advanced Logistics and Focused Analytics (FedEx ALFA) and the FedEx Lounge for students. While the newly operational FedEx ALFA is housed in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR), the FedEx Lounge, a thoughtfully designed 2,800 sq. ft. student facility, is located in the Project Evergreen residential complex at IIT Bombay’s Powai campus.

FedEx ALFA, established in 2023, has been conceptualized as a leading hub to drive advanced logistics research, innovation, talent development, and entrepreneurship in the logistics domain. With the formal inauguration marking its next phase, the Centre reflects a growing commitment to develop analytics-led, scalable solutions to address complex logistics and supply chain challenges nationally and globally. Looking ahead, plans are underway to relocate the Centre to a larger, dedicated space on campus, further deepening the partnership between FedEx and IIT Bombay.

Embedded within IIT Bombay’s broader mission to shape the future through scientific excellence and technological leadership, FedEx ALFA serves as a multidisciplinary hub that promotes cutting-edge research in logistics and operations, supports the creation of advanced quantitative models, and improves supply chain efficiency through data-driven design and planning. The Centre enables collaborative research, supports student development through M.Tech. and PhD fellowships, and fosters entrepreneurship through startup incubation.

Focus areas span dynamic pricing models, sustainable and decarbonized global supply chains, AI-driven workforce solutions, and digital transformation in logistics. Other projects explore air cargo optimization, warehouse automation, digital twins, cold-chain monitoring, and predictive analytics, along with interdisciplinary research into mental health and cognitive workload in transportation systems.

“FedEx ALFA exemplifies the kind of purposeful collaboration that IIT Bombay strives for,” said Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay. “It brings together our research strengths and FedEx’s global logistics experience to create actionable solutions with long-term impact. Just as importantly, it offers our students the chance to work on real-world problems with the potential for scale.”

Since its inception, FedEx ALFA has awarded numerous student fellowships across M.Tech. and PhD streams, with additional awards planned for the coming year. The Centre supports a diverse portfolio of research projects centred on themes such as automation, predictive modelling, and system optimization. Several student teams have benefited from structured mentorship and microgrants through the IDEAS programme, while multiple student-led logistics innovations have received pre-incubation support. FedEx ALFA also actively engages the broader IIT community through initiatives like Eureka! and the Inter-IIT Tech Meet, presenting logistics-themed challenges that encourage hands-on problem-solving.

“The energy, creativity, and problem-solving mindset we’ve seen from the IIT Bombay community has been deeply impressive,” said Ms. Kami Viswanathan, President, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA), FedEx. “Our collaboration with FedEx ALFA is helping translate fresh thinking into real-world logistics innovation.”

Building on this spirit of collaboration, FedEx has established a welcoming new student facility in the Project Evergreen hostel complex. The 2800 sq. ft. FedEx Lounge is designed as a welcoming space for students to unwind, collaborate, and connect. It features a mix of comfortable couches and workspaces, recreational games like table tennis, and a refreshment area, offering a well-rounded student experience that values both academic intensity and everyday connection.

“At FedEx, we’re proud to support spaces where young minds can thrive,” said Mr. Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice President, Marketing AMEA, FedEx. “The Lounge reflects our belief that great ideas don’t just emerge in labs—they’re often sparked in everyday conversations, shared workspaces, and a community that values curiosity.”

Together, FedEx ALFA and the FedEx Lounge illustrate a shared vision of enabling real-world impact through education, research, and meaningful industry collaboration. They reflect IIT Bombay’s broader commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and advancing knowledge in ways that contribute to long-term societal progress.