Conference Objectives

• To trace the historical evolution and global paradigms of Industry-Academia collaboration.
• To analyze the transformative role of I-A-I in fostering research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment.
• To critically evaluate India’s policy ecosystem—including the NEP 2020—for its responsiveness and support for sustainable I-A engagement.
• To identify sector-specific challenges and opportunities in diverse domains including agriculture, IT, healthcare, and the informal economy.
• To facilitate cross-sector dialogue among academic institutions, industries, think tanks, NGOs and governmental bodies.
• To co-create collaborative research models with measurable socio-economic impact.
• To explore pathways for empowering rural and underserved communities through I-A-I initiatives.

Expected Outcomes

• Development of a comprehensive Strategic Framework for I-A-I Strengthening across disciplines and sectors.
• Policy briefs and actionable recommendations for institutions and ministries to enhance institutional innovation and partnerships.
• Strengthened industry-academia-government collaboration networks, particularly for rural and community-cantered development.
• Launch of joint research initiatives, particularly in critical areas such as agritech, climate change, AI, and social sciences.
• Generation of cross-disciplinary insights via expert panels, thematic workshops, and real-world case studies.
• Post-conference publication of selected academic papers, best practices, and key findings to influence national discourse.
• Engagement with international universities and experts to promote global academic diplomacy and collaboration.
• Special sessions for PhD scholars, students, and young innovators to interact with leading industry professionals and explore co-creation opportunities.
• Thoughtful discussion on balancing commercialization and social responsibility in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• A platform to inspire creative, context-specific solutions to India’s development challenges.
• Long-term collaboration avenues with Eternal University, including joint degrees, CSR-linked initiatives, and rural outreach.

Target Participants

• Academicians: Faculty, researchers, university leaders, and curriculum developers.
• Industry Professionals: Executives, CSR heads, HR leaders, R&D teams.
• Government and Policy Makers: Officials from ministries, regulatory bodies, and development agencies.
• Entrepreneurs & Startups: Innovators working at the intersection of technology, education, and community development.
• Ph.D. Scholars and Students: Aspiring researchers and future leaders in academia and industry.
• Think Tanks & NGOs: Independent experts, policy analysts, and organizations driving systemic change.
• International Delegates: Representatives from foreign universities, global corporations, and international development organizations.

Why Attend?

• Gain first-hand insights into the future of Industry-Academia collaboration.
• Contribute to shaping national policy dialogues on education, employment, and innovation.
• Build networks that transcend institutional silos and geographic boundaries.
• Discover collaboration and funding opportunities for research and rural development.
• Be part of a high-impact platform shaping the journey toward a self-reliant, equitable, and innovative India.

This conference is more than an academic gathering—it is a call to action for transformative partnerships that redefine the future of education, work, and society. Join us in building bridges that will power the next generation of Indian and global development.

Highlights of the International Conference

• Global Perspectives: International in scope, the conference will feature distinguished global speakers, offering valuable insights into the Industry–Academia Interface (IAI) from a worldwide perspective.
• Comprehensive Understanding: Participants will gain an in-depth view of IAI’s multiple dimensions, pivotal for shaping today’s globalized economy, especially for countries like ours.
• Collaboration Opportunities: The event will pave the way for academic, research, and community outreach collaborations, strengthening ties between institutions and industries.
• Joint Consulting Prospects: Exploring opportunities for joint consultancy work with visiting organizations will be a key area of deliberation.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Unique sessions designed to foster group exchange of ideas, enriching participants’ knowledge and perspectives.
• Post-Conference Publications: A platform for scholars to publish their original research papers, ensuring wide academic circulation and impact.
• Policy Deliberations: Participation of government bodies and private sector policy advocates will provide strategic insights into the role of IAI in driving national prosperity.
• Paper Presentation Sessions: Research scholars, students, management consultants, and faculty will have ample scope to present findings and exchange ideas with peers and experts.
• Networking Opportunities: The conference offers an excellent opportunity for networking across senior experts, peers, and junior scholars, fostering long-term professional connections.

Distinguished Speakers

• Mr. Vivek Verma, Managing Director & Founder, Spray Engineering Devices Ltd., Mohali
• Mr. H.S. Cheema, Managing Director & Founder, Cheema Boilers Ltd., Mohali
• Dr. Saugata Mitra, Senior Strategic Advisor, NDDB Dairy Services, New Delhi
• Dr. Anandajit Goswami, Research Lead, Senior Research Fellow, Ashoka University, Sonipat
• Dr. Punita Duhan, Campus Director, Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, New Delhi
• Dr. Ati Priye, Chief Executive Officer-CGC University, Mohali; TEDx Speaker, Startup Strategist, Innovation & Digital Transformation Expert
• Dr. Chetna Sabharwal, Director, SkillsReform, Building Partnerships, Association of Indian Principals, Empowering India's Education Ecosystem; Edtech Changemaker
• Dr. Suman R Sensarma, (Self-Employed) Ex Partner, CLA Global Indus Value Consulting (A US-based multinational management consulting firm)
• Prof. Karminder Ghuman, Associate Dean - Industry Connect & Entrepreneurship, LM Thapar School of Management
• Dr. Amit Singh Khokhar, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Business Process Management, Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, New Delhi
• Dr. Shweta Agarwal, Senior Fellow, IDFC Foundation, New Delhi
• Mr. Anirban Banerjee, Ex Director, CLA Global Indus Value Consulting
• CA Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) (2025-26)
• Dr. Arindam Dasgupta, Senior Director, Program Operations & Strategy, Grameen Foundation, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Prof. Vinay Nangia, Ex HoD, Department of Management, IIT-Roorkee
• Ms. Chaitali Moitra, Regional Director South Asia of Turnitin, Gurgaon, India
• Dr. Arnab Chakraborty, Director & Head - Department of Management Studies; School of Leadership and Management; Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies
• Dr. R. Srinivasan, Editor-in-Chief, Electronic Journal of Social and Strategic Studies (EJSSS); Professor of Practice, Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
• Dr. Rajbir Singh, Business Strategy, Customer Centricity & Innovation Strategy; Globally Awarded Innovator; Start-up Mentor; Investor; Executive Coach; Board Member
• Prof. Rekha Gupta, Dean Academics, Prof-IT & Systems, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Sector 11, Dwarka, New Delhi-110075
• Dr. Simranjit Singh, Associate Professor, Department of ECE, Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh
• Mr. Lakhwinder Singh, President, 65th Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) Conference 2024; Visiting Professor of Economics, Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi
• Mr. Hitesh Kumar Gulati, Founder, Diversity Ace Business Consulting, Human Capital Transformation and Change Management Consultant
• Mr. Azam Ali Khan, Chief Executive Officer, TIDES Business Incubator - Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247667

Technical Tracks for the Conference

Track 1: Industry–Academia Partnership for Economic Growth

• Bridging the Skills Gap: Workforce readiness and the future of employability – A roadmap for academia and industry collaboration.
• Fostering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Enabling innovation through I-A-I partnerships – The role of incubators, start-ups, and key stakeholders.
• Aligning Academic Outcomes with Industry Needs: Opportunities and challenges for developing economies.
• From Theory to Practice: Translating conceptual knowledge into real-world solutions – Current status and future directions.

Track 2: Reimagining Academia’s Role in the 21st Century

• Education for Employability vs. Credentialism: Redefining success metrics in higher education.
• Institutional Responsiveness: Adapting academic curricula and pedagogy to meet dynamic industry expectations.
• NEP 2020 as a Strategic Framework: Insights on policy implementation from national and global perspectives.
• Universities as Engines of Talent and Innovation: Evaluating radical reforms, best practices, and new institutional roles.

Track 3: Collaborations for Research, Innovation, and Development

• Co-creating R&D Ecosystems: Learnings from national and international models.
• Institutional Frameworks for Research Collaboration: Present efforts, gaps, and strategic planning for future alignment.
• Rural and Regional Innovation: Empowering underserved geographies through collaborative research.
• IP Creation and Commercialization: Strengthening legal and financial frameworks – Role of government and industry stakeholders.

Track 4: Enabling Systems and Institutions for Effective I-A-I

• Role of Enabling Bodies: Industry associations (CII, FICCI), innovation councils, and chambers of commerce as facilitators.
• Technological Enablers of Collaboration: The impact of AI, EdTech, and Big Data on shaping new engagement models.
• Policy Ecosystems: Evaluating and enhancing incentive structures for sustainable, long-term partnerships.

Track 5: Sector-Specific Models and Best Practices

• Case Studies: Success stories from IT, Pharma, Agri-Tech, and Non-Profit sectors.
• Commercial and Operational Models: Mapping structures that enable successful I-A-I collaboration.
• Faculty Development for Industry Readiness: Evaluating current FDP initiatives and proposing forward-looking strategies.
• CSR as a Driver for I-A Engagement: Leveraging corporate social responsibility for educational transformation.
• Government Initiatives: Policy measures in India and globally to support inclusive I-A-I ecosystems.

Track 6: Focus Group Discussion (FGD) – Strategic Dialogue

• Duration: 2.5 hours of moderated, structured interaction.
• Participants: Eminent representatives from industry, academia, venture capital, corporate relations, HR leadership, and industry bodies.
• Focus: Addressing predefined, critical questions to elicit deep insights and policy recommendations for strengthening I-A-I.

Track 7: Student Engagement in the I-A-I Ecosystem

• Internship Ecosystem: Feedback-driven introspection on summer internships – What works, what doesn’t?
• Awareness Gaps Among Rural Students: Assessing internal (institutional) and external (community/industry) support mechanisms.
• Final Placement Trends: Dissecting placement mechanisms and their alignment with broader I-A-I goals.
• Holistic Student Grooming: Evaluation of programs focused on soft skills, inclusion, and socio-economic integration.

Track 8: Higher Education Institutions and Inclusive Development

• Adapting to Socio-Economic Realities: The role of HEIs in addressing modern societal challenges through I-A-I engagement.
• NEP 2020 in Action: Strategic and operational dimensions of implementation for social inclusion.
• Policy Innovations by HEIs: Institutional responses to challenges faced by universities in developing nations.
• Competitiveness of Indian Institutions: Benchmarking current practices and advocating for future action plans.

Track 9: Educational Think Tanks and Strategic Advisory Roles

• Influencing Policy through Research: Analyzing the role of think tanks in shaping equitable education systems.
• Impact Assessment: Reviewing past efforts and establishing a clear roadmap for future influence and impact.

Track 10: Special Sessions – Thematic Individual Presentations

• Macro Socio-Economic Trends: Analyzing the broader environment’s impact on I-A-I dynamics and proposing actionable pathways.
• Geopolitics and Higher Education: Understanding how global shifts affect domestic policy formulation.
• Educational Financing: A policy-level review of student loan systems and recommendations for efficient administration.
• Private Sector Insight: Industry perceptions of global challenges and their role in proactive academic collaboration.
• Social Transformation through I-A-I: Exploring how partnerships can address inequality and promote inclusive growth.
• I-A-I in a Developing Economy: Strategic frameworks for leveraging collaboration for sustainable national development.
• Sustainable Growth and Development: The central role of education and industry in achieving India’s long-term development goals through IAI strategies.