Kanpur: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has successfully concluded its flagship event, IITK Samanvay, marking a transformative milestone in industry-academia collaboration and technological innovation.
The two-day corporate engagement summit, held on 28th and 29th November 2024, brought together over 50 leading corporate leaders, investors, and research innovators, creating an unprecedented platform for exploring cutting-edge technological solutions and investment opportunities.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur , provided deeper context to the event’s strategic vision: “Innovation is not just about creating technologies, but about bridging the critical gap between scientific discovery and practical application. Samanvay 2024 represents our commitment to transforming academic potential into real-world solutions that can address complex societal challenges. We are not just developing technologies; we are cultivating an ecosystem of practical innovation.”
Reinforcing the collaborative spirit, Dr. Ram Sewak Sharma, Chairman of Open Network For Digital Commerce (ONDC), emphasized the event’s significance: “This event is a crucial step towards institutionalizing collaboration between academia and industry. By working together, we can leverage our combined knowledge and expertise to solve real-world problems and create transformative solutions.”
SP Shukla, Chairman of Mahindra Agri, Mahindra EPC Irrigation, and CIE Automotive India Ltd. said, “In today’s competitive global environment, the distinction between academia and industry must blur. We need to cultivate an environment where research is not an academic exercise, but a responsive, dynamic process that directly addresses real-world challenges. Our investments and collaborations are strategic in India’s future technological capabilities.”
The summit provided an immersive experience into IIT Kanpur’s world-class research facilities, breakthrough technologies, and vibrant startup ecosystem. Participants engaged directly with faculty, researchers, and students across diverse technological domains including artificial intelligence, sustainable technologies, space science, medical technologies, and cybersecurity.
Key highlights of the event included showcasing unique platforms such as the SIDBI Innovation and Incubation Center (SIIC), emerging departments like Cognitive Science and Sustainable Energy Engineering, and national research facilities including the Wind Tunnel and Animal Testing Facility.
IITK Samanvay facilitated unprecedented insights into breakthrough research, offering corporates and investors comprehensive opportunities for talent identification, collaborative partnerships, and technological exploration. The event successfully created strategic bridges between academic brilliance and industrial expertise, positioning itself as a landmark initiative in India’s innovation landscape.
The comprehensive summit helped us strengthen industry-academia linkages and contributed significantly to fostering a robust technological ecosystem that promises to drive India’s future innovations.
