The Doon University and the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) singed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at Raj Bhawan, Dehradun, on Thursday, marking a key step forward in strengthening academia-industry collaboration in Uttarakhand.
The ceremony was graced by Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, who lauded the NRDC’s first formal collaboration with a state university in the state, setting a precedent for future academic-industry partnerships.“Universities must transcend traditional teaching roles and emerge as hubs of translational research and innovation,” he said.
“This partnership will not only protect intellectual properties of the University but also transform research into tangible economic value, benefiting students, faculty, and the state at large,” Singh added.
Chairman and Managing Director of NRDC Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd.) reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to extend support to the state university in patent filings, technology transfer, and commercialization. “Our collaboration will bridge the gap between academia and industry, enabling researchers to convert innovations into market-ready solutions while nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among students and faculty,” he assured.
Vice Chancellor Surekha Dangwal outlined the Doon University’s strategic shift to IP-driven research across its science and design disciplines. “Our Schools of Environment & Natural Resources, Design, and key science departments are actively engaged in cutting-edge research. Partnering with the NRDC will amplify our ability to secure patents, trademarks, and commercialise technologies,” Dangwal noted.
The university’s advanced research facilities and strong publication record position it as a key contributor to Uttarakhand’s knowledge economy.
The event witnessed the presence of Ravinath Raman, IAS (Secretary to Governor); Reena Joshi, IAS (Additional Secretary to Governor); N.G. Lakshminarayan (DGM, NRDC); Dr. Arun Kumar (Director, Research & Development Cell, Doon University); Smriti Khanduri (Finance Controller, Doon University); Durgesh Dimri (Registrar, Doon University); and the Deans, faculty members, research scholars, and representatives from the print and electronic media.
According to an official document, this collaboration paves the way for enhanced R&D outcomes, startup creation, and industry-academia synergy, contributing to Uttarakhand’s economic and technological advancement.