The award was presented to IIT Jodhpur at the CII Annual Summit on Technology, Intellectual Property, and Industry-Academia Partnership held on 12 December 2024.

This is the first time the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is presenting the Industry-Academia Partnership Awards.

In this first version of awards, IIT Jodhpur was honoured with the prestigious Grand Jury Award in the Government Institute Category.

Jury

The award was presented by the jury consisting Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, former Director General of CSIR and Mr. Vipin Sondhi, Chairman of the CII National Mission on Technology, Innovation & Research.

The award was presented to IIT Jodhpur in the presence of industry stalwarts, academic luminaries, and policy leaders from across the nation.

Accepting the award on behalf of the institute were Professor Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Director of IIT Jodhpur, and Professor Sampat Raj Vadera, Adviser to the Director.

This achievement reflects the institute’s steadfast dedication to innovation, cutting-edge research, and impactful partnerships that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Director of IIT Jodhpur

On this occasion, after receiving the award, Prof. Avinash K. Agarwal, Director, IIT Jodhpur said the award is a celebration of the collective effort of our faculty, staff, and students.

They have tirelessly worked toward building bridges between academia and industry, said IIT Jodhpur director.

We are humbled and inspired to continue our mission of excellence, he said.

Accomplishments

IIT Jodhpur’s remarkable accomplishments are a testament to the collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrated by its faculty, staff, and students.

Through groundbreaking initiatives, the institute has championed innovative research, technology development, and skill-building programs, establishing itself as a beacon of progress in India’s educational ecosystem.

Its focus on fostering intellectual property creation and translating research into real-world solutions has set a benchmark for others to follow, say sources from IIT Jodhpur.

Collaboration

Professor Sampat Raj Vadera, Advisor to the Director, IIT Jodhpur said our success is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for societal impact.

This recognition fuels our determination to achieve even greater heights, he said.

Strength

Under the visionary leadership of Professor Avinash Kumar Agarwal and the strategic guidance of Professor Sampat Raj Vadera, IITJ has not only strengthened its industry ties but also paved the way for pioneering contributions to national growth.

Their presence at the summit underscored IITJ’s role as a leader in redefining how institutes of higher learning collaborate with industry partners to address critical societal challenges.

Efforts

The institution likes to acknowledge the efforts of Professor Kaushal A. Desai, Dean of Resource and Alumni, IITJ, and his team for their contributions to this initiative.

The Office of Corporate Relations and the Office of Research and Development initiated the application process for this prestigious award.

It highlights the institute’s pivotal role in driving India’s progress and its commitment to creating a sustainable, knowledge-driven future, say sources from IIT Jodhpur.

About IIT Jodhpur

Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur was established in 2008, to foster technology education and research in India.

The Institute is committed to technological thought and action to benefit the economic development of India.

Scholarship in teaching and learning; Scholarship in research and creative accomplishments; and relevance to Industry are three driving forces at IIT Jodhpur.

IIT Jodhpur functions from its sprawling residential Permanent Campus of 852 acres on National Highway 65, north-northwest of Jodhpur towards Nagaur.

The campus is meticulously planned and envisioned to stand as a symbol of academics – simple, but deep.

The Institute is committed to multidisciplinary approach of technology development. It has established state-of-the-art laboratories for basic research, and has organised its academic degree activities through Departments and its coordinated research through Centers for Technologies.

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The heads of various PSUs and Corporate entities attended the event, during which the Institute showcased its areas of expertise and avenues for collaboration in technology.

Dignitaries

The summit was held in the presence of Thiru T.R.B. Rajaa, TN Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras.

Special address

Delivering a special address T.R.B. Rajaa said IIT Madras is one of the crown jewels of the State.

This CSR Event is an important moment. The linkage between the Industry, academia and the Government is key. This Government is keen to identify the gaps and address, he said speaking at IIT Madras.

There is this need from the society. There is intention from the Government and the industry. These need to be bridged, he said.

T R B Rajaa further said companies are gaining out of the rich talent pool of Tamil Nadu and the State’s resources should spend CSR funds in the State. CSR, as such, which is focused on areas that need focus with a little bit of Government intervention can go a long way.

Funding for research is very important. If I have a problem in Energy storage, I know I can come to IIT Madras and get a solution and connect with the Industry, he said.

Right now, Tamil Nadu is the third largest State when it comes to utilization of CSR Funds. So, the State knows where to put CSR, he said.

The outcomes of these initiatives, if successful, could lead to significant outcomes especially in areas like Sustainability, said IIT Madras director.

A major example is the Carbon Zero Challenge of IIT Madras, which encourages institutions in Tier 2 and 3 cities and encourages innovation in environment-friendly technology, he said.

We have had 25 start-ups come of out the Carbon Zero Challenge. Research and Innovation in devices for differently abled have also grown with the help of CSR Funds, he said.

Students of BS Degree in Data Science and Programming have also been supported with CSR Funding, he said.

Awards

As a part of the summit, the Institute presented the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047- IIT Madras Innovative Tech-for-Tomorrow CSR Awards’ to recognize and encourage meaningful industry participation in creating innovative technologies for lasting social impact via CSR.

IITM also recognized its current corporate partners for their enduring commitment to driving social impact through pioneering technology research and innovative collaborations.

“We at IIT Madras, have proudly partnered with more than 200 corporates and PSUs to leverage technology research for social impact and the greater good.

From deploying scalable solutions such as Rural Technology Centres and our BS online degree programme, to establishing Centres of Excellence and executing impactful research projects, IIT Madras continues to stay in the forefront of pioneering technology research for social good, he said.

Corporate firms

Welcoming corporate firms to work with IIT Madras, Mr. Kaviraj Nair, CEO – Office of Institutional Advancement, IIT Madras, said at IIT Madras, they believe in harnessing the power of technology and innovation to address societal challenges and drive transformative change.

CSR funds have been instrumental in enabling impactful social transformation, supporting initiatives that bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and on-ground implementation, he said.

Tech-enabled interventions, in particular, have unlocked the potential for non-linear changes, amplifying the scale and speed of solutions to address pressing social issues, he said.

The National CSR Summit’s theme, ‘Viksit Bharat – Driving Inclusive Growth and Social Transformation through Tech-enabled CSR,’ reflects our collective vision to build a sustainable and equitable future, he said.

Together with our corporate partners, we are committed to turning bold ideas into actionable, life-changing outcomes that empower communities and foster a truly developed Bharat”

Culture of collaboration

Over the years, IIT Madras has built a culture of collaborating with industry to create a lasting impact across diverse themes such as agriculture, healthcare, environment, skilling and education.

The Institute invited the Corporate firms and PSU to join its in socially relevant initiatives.

Ecosystem

IIT Madras has also nurtured a vibrant innovation and incubation ecosystem and is at the forefront of creating new technologies that address societal challenges.

IITM has also created enduring value and lasting social impact via technology and research across diverse themes from agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, skilling, and education etc. by leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility.

1. CSR as a catalyst for building a vibrant start-up Ecosystem in India

2. Partnering with Industries to build Harvard-like World-Class Institutes of Higher Education to pave way for Viksit Bharat 2047

3. Viksit Bharat: Skilling India for the future of Manufacturing – The Role of IITs

4. How can industries and IITs partner to drive the ESG agenda and support India’s sustainability goals?

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