The Department of Design (DoD) at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) has announced the launch of the Integrated Product–Service System (IPSS) Design Certificate Programme, an innovative international training initiative developed in collaboration with POLI.design, Milan, Italy (a consortium company founded by Politecnico di Milano), and supported in India by the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI).

About the Programme:

The IPSS Certificate is a 54-hour online programme combining:

• 30 hours of live online modules led jointly by faculty from POLI.design and DoD, IITH

• 24 hours of hands-on design workshop led by faculty from both institutions.

The curriculum alternates between expert faculty from Italy and India, ensuring global exposure, cross-cultural learning, and practical design application. The programme is tailored to equip participants with:

• Product–service system thinking and sustainable design methodologies

• Strategic and organisational innovation skills

• Capability to solve real-world design and business challenges

• Global collaboration, creativity, and leadership ability

Prof. B S Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad shared about the course and partnership, “IITH is partnering with POLI.Design, Milan, Italy and Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI) to start a unique certificate programme on Integrated Product Service and System design. Technology has enabled us to connect seamlessly across the globe, and it will be a major boost to the global knowledge sharing paradigm fostering strong bilateral collaboration with Italy. India is poised to leverage the demographic dividend and excel in the product development economy enabled by a strong service-driven ecosystem. I hope this initiative will go a long way in building skilled and competent human resources for Viksit Bharat. “

Prof. Cabirio Cautela, former CEO of POLI.design, Full Professor of Strategic Design, and faculty member of the project said, "POLI.design is pleased to partner with one of India’s leading design institutions in advancing high-level training in Integrated Product–Service System Design. Through this collaboration, we aim to support India’s upskilling and reskilling needs by sharing our strategic design expertise and fostering new avenues for global innovation." 

Claudio Maffioletti, CEO & Secretary General, IICCI shared, “For the IICCI, partnerships as such are fundamental to reinforcing the Indo-Italian business corridor and expanding the scope of bilateral economic engagement. By connecting IIT Hyderabad and POLI.design through IICCI’s Minerva Eduhub, we are facilitating the transfer of advanced design capabilities that industry increasingly relies upon for innovation and strategic differentiation. This initiative strengthens the collaborative pathways that elevate skills, deepen industry capability, and enhance professional readiness across both countries. In doing so, it contributes to a more resilient and sophisticated talent ecosystem—one that supports high-value bilateral trade, design-driven enterprises, and sustained long-term growth for Indo-Italian businesses.”

A Global Tri-Partite Collaboration:

The programme is jointly developed as part of IITH’s long-term vision to expand international design education and strengthen industry-linked innovation. POLI.design’s association through IICCI’s Project Minerva – The Italian Education and Training Hub played a significant role in shaping this partnership and introducing advanced design training frameworks into India.

The collaboration aligns with IITH’s mission to build future-ready designers who can work at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and human-centred design.