IIT Ropar launches its Council of Industry Associates
Chandigarh: The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, organized it’s 3rd Industry Meet on 25th May, 2017 in Hotel Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh. The meeting chaired by Prof. Sarit Kumar Das, Director, IIT Ropar was attended by renowned industry leaders and representatives. The key objectives of the event were to bring the industry and academia on the same platform to discuss issues related to industrial expectations from the institute, solve live industrial problems through projects, boost local industry in the region and to explore the possibility of setting up industry sponsored labs at the institute. The meeting also touched upon the importance of ‘Make in India’ and how industry and academia can collaborate and contribute to this national policy of the Government of India (GoI). 19 members from Industrial Associates of IIT Ropar and about 25 members from other industries were present at the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. S.K Das, Director of IIT Ropar said, “The current stage of industry‐academia linkages in India today is still quite nascent. We have to look out that a more sustaining and long term structural plan for continuous development that would serve to be mutually beneficial for the industrial sector as well as the academic research driven sector of India. The objective of this conclave is to emphasize the significance of enhancing academia-Industry collaboration for augmenting research, innovation, employability and greater productivity through various measures.”
The meeting included discussion on various topics like recognition of industrial projects at par with published papers, research grants, additional funding and industrial participation. The discussions also revolved around how each department should encourage participation through industrial visits to campus, industrial workshops, meetings, lecture series etc. which will reduce the gap between industry and academia. The meeting addressed issues of how industry and academia can collaborate and come up with policies and work towards solutions to existing issues. An industrial policy draft will be presented by the institute as an outcome of this meeting.
Dr. Harpreet Singh, Associate Dean (industrial Relations, International & Alumni Affairs) said “This Industry- Academia meet has discussed the predominant challenges that are facing collaboration of industry and academia and to structure a clear road map for the involvement of every relevant stakeholder and for the mutual benefit of not only industry and academia but also for India as a nation.”
The meeting concluded with an aim from IIT Ropar to increase the strength of its Industrial Associates from 19 to 25 within this year and to explore new projects with prospective faculty and industry partners or newindustry. The institute also declared its vision for the year 2020 which talks about:
· Having 50 active industries as part of the Industrial Associates of IIT Ropar
· Having at least 15 good projects ongoing with industry
· Promoting at least 30 invited lectures per year from solely from industry
· Promoting visits from top leadership of industry
· Promoting at least 30 visits of faculty to industry per year by 2020
The conclave ended with a formal launch of Council of Industrial Associates of IIT Ropar with a special thanks to media fraternity present at the event.