Principal Scientific Adviser Applauds CRIKC Model
Author(s): City Air NewsChandigarh, July 14, 2018: "Cluster of academic institutions and national research laboratories is the need of the hour for meaningful deliverance of technologies for societal and economic needs of the nation. A...
Chandigarh, July 14, 2018: "Cluster of academic institutions and national research laboratories is the need of the hour for meaningful deliverance of technologies for societal and economic needs of the nation. A CRIKC model can act as a template for the functioning of University-National Research Laboratories (U-NRL) Hubs, created recently by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Govt. of India.", said Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Govt. of India. Prof. VijayRaghavan was also very appreciative of the 'Technology Showcasing' held at CSIR-IMTECH in which more than 30 technologies and products were displayed by the various institutions under the CRIKC umbrella.
In the inaugural address, Prof. Arun K Grover, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chd., highlighted the genesis and evolution of CRIKC and laid out Action Plans for CRIKC and U-NRL, for the benefit of society at large. Dr. Anil Koul, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, unfolded the innovations emerging out of the institute and the futuristic tie-ups with multinationals.
Prof. Rupinder Tewari, Coordinator, DST-Centre for Policy Research at PU, talked about the recommendations for the promotion of university-industry collaborations at the national and regional levels. His suggestion of connecting the industries (micro, small, medium and large) to the universities with the active participation of already established District Industries Centres (DICs) was highly appreciated by the PSA. This endeavour can be a game changer for bridging the gap between industry and academia.
During the industry academia panel discussion, eminent personnel from industries (Dr. Dinesh Dua, Chairman, Pharmexcil; Dr. P.J. Singh, MD, Tynor Orthotics Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. H.S. Cheema, MD, Cheema Boilers Ltd.) applauded the efforts of CRIKC for promoting public private partnership in the region.
Many industry experts displayed their concern about the lack of interest shown by academia to undertake R&D problems of the industry. During the interactive session, Prof. C R Suri, Scientist, IMTECH talked about the Nanobioprobe mediated DNA aptameters for explosive detection.
In this event two MoUs were signed between academia and industry. One of the MoUs with Medzome Life Sciencez, was for the transfer of a rapid diagnostics technology for detection of Typhoid. The other was between CRIKC and The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) for promotion of entrepreneurship.
A vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. T.R. Sharma, Executive Director, NABI, Mohali.
During the event, a tribute was also paid to Dr. N. N. Wig, founder of psychiatry department at PGIMER, Chandigarh and a great philanthropist, who passed away late Friday evening.