IT IS NOW OR NEVER; FOR ENHANCED RESEARCH COLLABORATION, NAY, PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND INSTITUTES/ACADEMIA

Pens have gone dry and words have run out, highlighting the need for Industry-Academia collaboration. However, it is indeed deeply dismaying that very little progress has been made in “building the bridges” we have been advocating and promoting over the last few decades, when the necessity and urgency of innovative research leading to IP/Patent protection and technology licensing is recognised as a priority. Except for couple of pockets of excellence, there have been very few “box office” hits to write about. One example to quote is the Venture Centre at the NCL (National Chemical Laboratory, Pune) headed by Dr. V. Premnath. A few exceptional achievements in a relatively short time by this innovation/start up incubation centre are worth taking note of.