New Delhi — In a move that redefines the boundaries between policy, practice, and academia, ITS India Forum and South Asian University (SAU) have jointly announced the launch of two landmark executive programs: the Global Executive MS and the Executive PhD in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Sustainable Mobility. Open for enrollment from Academic Year 2026–27, these programs represent the first of their kind in India — purpose-built for senior professionals who are already shaping the future of mobility and need a rigorous academic framework to anchor their impact.
India is in the midst of an unprecedented transportation transformation. From V2X communication standards and AI-driven traffic management to the electrification of national fleets and the digitization of highway corridors, the complexity of decisions being made today demands not just experience, but expertise grounded in global knowledge. These programs answer that demand with academic rigor, international perspective, and immediate professional relevance.
These programs are architected to prepare professionals not merely for the present, but for what transportation will demand a decade from now. The curriculum draws on the emerging pillars that are already redefining mobility globally — and that India must now master domestically. The AI-based Advanced Traffic Management Systems are enabling cities to move beyond fixed-signal logic toward self-learning, real-time responsive networks that reduce congestion and emissions together. New Generation Road User Charging is shifting how nations fund infrastructure — from blunt fuel levies toward precise, usage-based models that promote equity and sustainability. Innovative Parking solutions, powered by sensors and predictive analytics, are transforming one of urban mobility’s oldest friction points into a source of data-driven efficiency. Autonomous Vehicles, advancing steadily from pilot corridors to mixed-traffic deployment, are demanding entirely new regulatory architectures, safety standards, and operational protocols. Electronic Enforcement systems are bringing speed, consistency, and scalability to compliance mechanisms that manual systems can no longer deliver at the national scale. And Sustainable Transportation — spanning multimodal integration, electric mobility, and low-carbon logistics — is rapidly moving from aspiration to implementation mandate. Together, these domains form the knowledge frontier that the Global Executive MS and Executive PhD are designed to equip professionals to lead.
“India does not lack mobility professionals. What we lack is a structured pathway for them to grow into global thought leaders. The Global Executive MS and Executive PhD are our answer to that gap — programs that meet practitioners where they are and elevate them to where the sector needs them to be.”
— Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava, President, ITS India Forum
Offered in an executive format designed for uninterrupted professional continuity, the Global Executive MS provides a structured master ‘s-level qualification spanning ITS policy, connected mobility systems, sustainable transport planning, and emerging technologies. The Executive PhD extends this further — enabling senior leaders, researchers, and policymakers to produce original, publishable research that directly contributes to the advancement of India’s transportation knowledge base. Both programs are designed to be pursued without the career interruption, reflecting a deep respect for the professional commitments of their target cohort.
The program launch is underpinned by a comprehensive outreach initiative engaging government ministries, including MoRTH, DoT, MoHUA, and NITI Aayog; public sector enterprises such as IRCON, RITES, and BEL; engineering institutions under AICTE; diplomatic missions across South Asia; and global ITS networks spanning multiple continents. This breadth of outreach reflects the program’s ambition: to attract a cohort that is as diverse in geography as it is unified in purpose.
As India accelerates toward its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the need for institutionally trained, globally connected, and research-driven mobility professionals has moved from desirable to essential. The ITS India Forum and SAU programs are not merely academic offerings — they are a strategic investment in the human capital that will design, regulate, and operate the transportation systems of the next generation. Interested professionals and institutions may reach the ITS India Forum Secretariat to learn more about admissions, program structure, and partnership opportunities.
About the ITS India Forum
ITS India Forum is India’s national think tank for Intelligent Transportation Systems and smart mobility, operating in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission. Its mandate spans policy advocacy, capacity building, regulatory engagement, and the development of academic programs that strengthen India’s transportation knowledge ecosystem.
About South Asian University
South Asian University (SAU) is an international university established by the SAARC nations, located in New Delhi. SAU is offering postgraduate and doctoral programs across the disciplines and is committed to strengthening academic excellence and regional cooperation across South Asia.
For Admissions Enquiries
Email: dgm@itsindiaforum.com | climatecentre@sau.int
