Doon Varsity signs MoA with NRDC to propel research innovation
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 28 Jul: In a milestone development for higher education and innovation in Uttarakhand, Doon University formalised a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) in the presence of Chancellor of the University and Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) at Raj Bhawan here today. This historic collaboration has been initiated under the patronage of Governor Gurmit Singh.
Addressing the audience, Governor Singh expressed that he was very happy to observe this development and noted that it is a very momentous development. He noted that this is the first such partnership in the state between NRDC, which is an enterprise under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and a state university. He also praised the initiatives being taken by Doon University Chancellor Prof Dr Surekha Dangwal towards promoting and propelling research in the University. He emphasised that the core objective of this agreement (MoA) is to accelerate research and development, foster the creation of intellectual property, and facilitate its commercialisation across academic institutions in Uttarakhand. Terming the occasion as historic, Singh stated that Doon University has not only elevated its own research stature but has also opened new pathways for other universities and institutions in the state to follow suit. He reiterated that modern universities need to move beyond traditional teaching to embrace high-quality research and innovation that can be translated into real-world applications.
The Governor recalled meeting a young teenager who has registered 5 patents in his name and then lamented the fact that Indians have not been keen on patents. He also praised NRDC for supporting the research and startups and stressed on linking market with the laboratory and said that research should not remain restricted to labs but must be commercialised and reach the markets and the people.
Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of NRDC, assured the Governor that NRDC would extend comprehensive support to Doon University in this endeavour. He stated that NRDC would simplify the patent filing process and progressively assist in transferring technology and knowledge to industry partners, thereby stimulating Uttarakhand’s economic development. He further pointed out that the collaboration would offer valuable opportunities for students and faculty members to develop entrepreneurial abilities and establish start-ups.
Vice Chancellor Surekha Dangwal highlighted that various scientific departments of Doon University, including the School of Environment & Natural Resources, Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Geology, along with the School of Design, are actively redirecting their research focus towards the generation of intellectual property. She stated that the faculty in these departments are deeply involved in, both, fundamental and applied scientific work, have developed state-of-the-art laboratories, and consistently contributed high-quality publications to the scientific domain.
Prof Dangwal also noted that this is the first time NRDC has formally partnered with any state university in Uttarakhand through an MoA, an achievement made possible by the proactive role and support of the Chancellor and Governor, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd). She also reminded that Doon University is a very young institution which started its first academic session in 2009 and noted the university’s dedication to excellence in teaching and research across a range of disciplines. She also shared that Doon University is the only state-funded university in Uttarakhand chosen out of 82 institutions nationwide for the Department of Science & Technology’s “Promotion of University Research & Scientific Excellence (PURSE)” programme. She reminded that the university was also recently selected by IIT Madras for collaboration under the ambitious “Partnership for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)” programme, aligning with the national vision for research and innovation.
She added that, through its association with NRDC, Doon University aims to maximise the use of NRDC’s expertise and resources to strengthen research output, secure patents, trademarks, and designs, and bring these intellectual assets to commercial fruition.
Among those present during the MoA signing ceremony included Secretary to the Governor Ravinath Raman, Additional Secretary to the Governor Reena Joshi, DGM, NRDC, NG Lakshminarayan, Director, Research & Development Cell, Doon University, Prof Arun Kumar; Finance Controller of the University Smriti Khanduri, Registrar, Doon University, Durgesh Dimri, Registrar, along with Deans, Heads of Departments and faculty members, research scholars, and Priyanka Aswal from NRDC.
