EventsIndo-German Dialogue: Industry-Academia Cooperation

Indo-German Dialogue: Industry-Academia Cooperation

Duration: 26.09.2018 City: New Delhi (India Habitat Centre) Country: India

A close cooperation between economy and science is the foundation of innovative strength of a country. In order to be accessible and useful for the society, research needs to be application-oriented. While, on the other hand, science can gain important impetus for applied research from the industry. In addition, creativity and innovation, combined with entrepreneurial thinking can initiate entrepreneurial career options for students.

A close relationship between science and industry has been the hallmark of the German research and education landscape. This is exemplified by institutions such as the Fraunhofer Society, technical universities and universities of applied sciences which stand for intensive, two-pronged exchange. Cooperation with industry is a norm rather than an exception even for traditional “full-universities”; especially in research. Moreover, with numerous state funding programs such as the ‘Leading Edge Cluster Competition’ (Spitzencluster-Wettbewerb) and the ‘Innovative University’ (Innovative Hochschule) program, the increased cooperation between academia and industry has been equally supported by the government in the recent years.

Unlike in Germany, cooperation between industry and academia is not predominant in India. Large companies, in particular, often set up their own research units which mostly work with universities on a selective basis. Furthermore, research carried out by universities is largely oriented towards publishing papers while applied research is not high on priority. Academic curricula too are often not designed keeping in mind the requirements of the job market.

In recent years, a relatively small number of renowned technical colleges e.g. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have started taking targeted measures to support the innovative and creative potential of their students and researchers. In this regard, research parks, incubation and start-up centres have been established on their respective campuses to provide necessary infrastructure. They offer a platform for entrepreneurial ventures and give companies a chance to develop projects together with the researchers at the institutions. However, there are only very few such success stories to showcase. The Indian Government recognises the need for a closer cooperation between the industry and the academia. Further initiatives by the Government of India can play a decisive role in realising the potential of the Indian academia and to replicate successful models of industry academia cooperation.

With this edition of the Indo-German Dialogue "Innovation and Incubation as Key Factors in Industry and Academia Cooperation: Universities as a Breeding Ground for Innovation and Entrepreneurship", the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New Delhi aims to address multifaceted aspects of the academia and industry relationship and discuss ways to bridge the existing gaps. Experts from universities, research institutions and industry in India and Germany will discuss how a sustainable and fruitful cooperation can be achieved, how innovation and entrepreneurship can be integrated in the profile of universities and how governments can support such ideas.

To register for this event, please click here.

Source: DWIH New Delhi Editor by Andreas Ratajczak, VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH Countries / organization: India Topic: Innovation Higher Education Industry, Markets

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