At the 12th Convocation Ceremony of JNTU Hyderabad, Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, a stalwart in space science and the Chairman of ISRO, delivered a compelling address that underscored the necessity of forging stronger ties between Industry-Academia. His speech laid out a visionary roadmap for integrating industry-academic research with industry needs, paving the way for market-driven innovations and practical solutions.
Dr. Somanath began by highlighting the ever-evolving landscape of technology and its rapid integration into various sectors of the economy. He emphasized the urgent need for universities to adapt to these changes and foster a more dynamic relationship with industries. According to him, the potential for academic research to spur industrial innovation remains largely untapped, and bridging this gap is crucial for future advancements.
Detailing the benefits of such a collaboration, Dr. Somanath pointed out how a synergy between academia and industry could lead to the development of cutting-edge technologies and solutions that address real-world challenges. He stressed the importance of academic research being directed not only towards theoretical understanding but also towards practical applications that align with industry requirements.
Dr. Somanath also addressed the graduates and faculty, urging them to rethink the traditional approach to education and research. He advocated for a more interdisciplinary and applied methodology, which could significantly enhance the relevance and impact of academic work in the industrial domain.
“It’s time we shifted our focus from purely academic pursuits to innovations that can fuel industry growth and societal development,” he said.
Furthermore, Dr. Somanath called for increased investment in research and development from the industry side. He envisioned a future where industries actively engage with academic institutions, supporting and guiding research initiatives that could lead to tangible products and services.
“The connect between university and industry is still not very strong in our system. Those people are coming out of this university continue to remain students capable of doing research but not the research that are required for innovation, required for industries to monetize it, bring out innovative products to conquer the market and create a big business activity around your work,” he said.
Dr. Somanath’s address was a clear call to action for establishing a robust, interactive, and mutually beneficial relationship between academia and industry. His vision for a collaborative future resonated strongly with the audience, inspiring both graduates and faculty to be catalysts in this transformative journey.
– Raja Aditya
