Dehradun: In a major step towards fostering innovation and strengthening academia-industry collaboration, the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Doon University, Uttarakhand. The signing ceremony took place at Raj Bhawan, Dehradun, in the presence of Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd), Governor of Uttarakhand.
This agreement marks NRDC’s first formal partnership with a state university in Uttarakhand, reflecting the Corporation’s strategic commitment to promoting research-driven economic growth and nurturing an innovation ecosystem in the region.
Read Also: NRDC Hosts National Workshop on IP Commercialization at IISc to Mark World IP Day 2025
Focus on IP, Commercialization, and Startups
The partnership aims to enhance intellectual property (IP) protection, technology commercialization, and entrepreneurship within the academic ecosystem of Doon University. It is expected to drive patent filing, startup incubation, and stronger linkages with industry, thereby contributing significantly to the knowledge economy of the state.
Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd), Governor of Uttarakhand, remarked:
“Universities must transcend traditional teaching roles and emerge as hubs of translational research and innovation. This partnership will not only protect intellectual property but also convert research into economic value for students, faculty, and the state.”
Leadership Speak
Cmde Amit Rastogi (Retd), CMD of NRDC, said:
“Our collaboration will bridge the gap between academia and industry. We will support Doon University in patent filing, technology transfer, and nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets to develop market-ready solutions.”
Prof. Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor of Doon University, noted:
“Our Schools of Environment & Natural Resources, Design, and Science are engaged in pioneering research. This partnership will empower our institution to better protect and commercialize our innovations.”
Significance & Future Impact
The MoA aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, aiming to make Indian academic institutions engines of innovation and economic transformation. It sets a precedent for other universities in Uttarakhand and beyond to build similar industry-aligned partnerships.
The initiative will also facilitate:
- IP-led R&D projects
- Tech-driven entrepreneurship among students
- Capacity-building in innovation management
Dignitaries Present
The ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries including:
- Ravinath Raman, IAS (Secretary to the Governor)
- Reena Joshi, IAS (Additional Secretary)
- NG Lakshminarayan (DGM, NRDC)
- Dr. Arun Kumar (Director, R&D Cell, Doon University)
- Smriti Khanduri (Finance Controller)
- Durgesh Dimri (Registrar), along with deans, faculty, scholars, and media.
Read Also: NRDC Launches NETRA to Strengthen India’s Innovation Ecosystem with Technology Readiness Assessment
About the Institutions (NRDC/Doon University)
NRDC is a premier enterprise under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. It specializes in technology commercialization, IPR management, and fostering innovation linkages across sectors.
Doon University is a leading state institution known for interdisciplinary research and academic excellence, especially in environmental sciences, design, and technology.
