PPP Model for Nanotechnology- Nanotechnology Conclave 2007(INDIA NANO FLEDGING)

RAMAMURTHY CALLS FOR PPP MODEL FOR NANO TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION

Prof V S Ramamurthy, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT, urged the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to set up a center for Nano technology application partnering with Government and R&D institutions. He was addressing the Nanotechnology Conclave 2007, organised by the CII, Department of Science and Technology and the Government of India, alongside the International Engineering and Technology Trade Fair, here on Thursday.

Prof Ramamurthy said that at present, there is a gap between industry and research labs and we have to bring them closer. Converting lab ideas into successful business proposition is the challenge for us today. The missing link in the country is the absence of enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. Technology incubators linked with vibrant R&D labs, good mentor base and venture finance access can bridge the gap. Also, there is an urgent need for proper infrastructure facilities and human resource development initiatives through public private partnership in the field of nano science, he added.

Nanotechnology Conclave 2007

CII and the Department of Science and Technology organized the Nanotechnology Conclave 2007 on 15-16 February in New Delhi, alongside the IETF (International Engineering and
Technology Trade Fair) to facilitate collaborations between industry and institutes.

RECOMMENDATIONS EMERGING FROM THE CONCLAVE
• Nanotechnology research in institutes and industry should be oriented towards national needs.
• A well equipped Centre is needed for entrepreneurs and industry to conduct R & D. This centre could be managed by CII.
• Health and environment related impacts of Nanotechnology need to be studied
• Industry and Institutes must collaborate in nanotechnology applications like medicine, catalysts, and carbon nanotubes.
• Future Conclaves should focus on fostering collaborations between institutes and industry in India.
• CII should help industry to utilize the facilities available in research institutes.
• A website has to be created to host the expertise available with institutes and industry in India and abroad.
• Establishment of a CII Nanotechnology Forum through the website can streamline

The conclave served as a platform to introduce new technologies that are under development from various institutes and industry. As he put it up, the challenges that our Nanotech efforts face are-

• The gap between industry and research labs
• Converting lab ideas into successful business proposition
• Absence of enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship
• Bringing in technology incubators linked with vibrant R&D labs, good mentor base and venture finance access to bridge the gap
• Urgent need for proper infrastructure facilities and human resource development initiatives through public private partnership in the field of nano science

This is another positive sign of INDIA NANO FLEDGING.

Hope that Government keeps fueling the Nanotech growth in India.