RCE Chandigarh - 2020

Punjab Innovation & Technology Summit 2019
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Punjab Innovation & Technology Summit 2019
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Chandigarh
Contributing organization(s) : 
Organized by Department of Science, Technology & Environment,Goverment of Punjab
Lead Agency: Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
lead Partners: Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, ENVIS, Punjab State Biotechnology Corporation, Pushpa Gujral Science City
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
Organizational Affiliation: 
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, Chandigarh
Format of project: 
audiovisual
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Additional resources: 
Booklet having presentation on Mission Innovate Punjab
Concept Note
Newsletter
Mission Innovate
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
India
Location(s): 
Punjab , Chandigarh
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
Ecosystem(s):

Target Audience:
Higher, Youth (Informal)
RESEARCH , UNIVERSITIES & INDUSTRY
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Punjab is predominately an agrarian state and is one of the leading states in terms of development and pioneer in green revolution. However, it is also one of the most environmentally affected states of the country. The state has done remarkably well in the field of agriculture and is now laying emphasis on industrial growth. According to the 2008 Global Hunger Index, Punjab has the lowest level of hunger in India. Less than one-fourth of children below the age of five are underweight. Punjab has also one of the lowest poverty rate in India at 6.16% (1999-2000 figures), and has won the best state performance award in the country.
The state also leads the nation in infrastructural development and having strong road, railway and communication network. However, over intensification of agriculture over the years along with industrialization, economic and infrastructural development has lead to degradation and over exploitation of natural resources of the state especially water, land and biodiversity. Developing and refining water saving technologies in crop production and management along with more pollution control & waste management strategies to cater to growing population of the region is needed for sustainable development in the region.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
To make our Universities focus on research and innovation and not merely on academic pursuits.
To provide opportunities to research institutions, universities and technological institutions to showcase/ emphasize on research capabilities have been leveraged for driving tech based novel solutions, processes and products for social/ economic growth.
The importance of industry for academic institutions.
To bring synergies between Universities & Research Institutions, Industry & Government.
To utilize Punjab research capabilities for fulfilling various innovative needs of the state through Global alliances and partnerships.

Availability of funds viz research grants, early stage technology development funds.

Availability of funds w.r.t seed money, venture capital for innovation and start-ups.

Contents
Rationale: 
Punjab Innovation and Technology Summit 2019 was organized on 5th November, 2019 at hotel ‘The Lalit, Chandigarh’ under the Mission Innovate Punjab. The Summit aimed at bringing together leaders and thinkers representing Academia and Research, Industries and Businesses, High technology ventures, Government departments and Funding agencies from across the globe to analyse the opportunities and challenges presented by technology transformation and the frameworks needed for global scale-up.
Objectives: 
The Summit aimed to promote “Mission Innovate Punjab” to build a robust ecosystem for research and innovation in the State by synergising a complex set of relationships among key actors in the system such as Government, Universities and Research Institutions, Industries, Human Capital and Finance. Mission Innovate Punjab will bring the distinct cultures of Academia, Industry and Government together to drive Knowledge Economy of the State. The Mission will strive to enhance competitiveness, boost growth and creating quality jobs.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
-8 Sessions held on :
1. Innovation and Academia: Boosting Research & its commercialization
2. Inaugural Session: Leveraging Punjab as Land of Opportunities for Innovations
3. Cross Cultural Innovations: Exploring Global opportunities for collaboration and Convergence
4. Disruptive Technologies: New Paradigm of Development
5. Young Innovators & Start-ups
6. Social Innovations and Enterprises: Transforming Public Delivery System
7. Funding Opportunities
8. Innovation Awards

-An exhibition with 48 exhibitors from universities, research institutions, industries and Startups to showcase the strength of Punjab’s innovation ecosystem was also organized.

-About 50 eminent speakers from renowned national and international institutes including,;, Chairman, Hero Corporate Services Ltd.; Dr. Girish Sahni, Former Director General, CSIR; Prof. Youngjin Yoo, Department of Design & Innovation, Case Western Reserve University, USA; Ms Ratika Jain, CEO, Global Innovation & Technology Alliance; Mr. Abhay Jere, Chief Innovation Officer, MHRD; Prof. (Dr.) Henry H. Chen, Director, S&T Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India, Embassy of Taiwan; Mr. Karan Bajwa, MD, IBM India Ltd. and Mr. S. Balasubramanian, Managing Director, Accenture are sharing their thoughts and experiences related to research and innovation.

-06 B2B Meetings held

-08 MoUs signed
Size of academic audience: 
672
Results: 
‘Punjab INNOVATION and TECHNOLOGY Summit 2019’ on 05.11.2019 at The Lalit Hotel, Chandigarh provided 672 people from Government, Universities and Research Institutions, Industries, Human Capital and Finance to brainstorm on promote research and innovation in Punjab and further, to boost social and economic growth of the State.
Lessons learned: 
1. Academia need orientation to address the need of industry by having proper delivering channels.
2. Industries should take initiative to bridge invention and commercialization space.
3. Value chain from lab to market needs to be energized.
4. Credibility of Academia with the industry has to be raised.
5. Academia can inculcate the success through knowledge solutions, oriented skill set, set of strong characters and innovation oriented ecosystem.
6. Willingness of Israel to work with the state for exposing latest technologies of Israel and share their ecosystem and approach of innovation.
7. GITA innovation exchange program to encourage the formation of credible network.
8. Willingness of Taiwan to create a concrete collaborative R&I ecosystem.
9. Scaling up of innovation for tackling climate change issues in collaboration with GIZ.
10. Digital innovation is fueling economic growth while ensuring sustainability.
11. Strategic collaborations required for absorbing the AI in the innovation ecosystem. One of the most important challenges is creating skilling needs for the future.
12. Emerging technologies like AI would be essential to solve manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare problems.
13. Participative approach from both industries and academia is the need of the hour.
14. Adequate funding opportunities available for start-ups for ideas which can give solution to larger communities but need to be adequately advertised.
15. Start-ups are skewed up towards service sector. There is a need to balance by skewing it towards manufacturing sector.
16. Regulatory bodies need to align with start-up innovations as specifications are missing from the perspectives of regulatory body.
17. Sustainability, scalability, requirements of high end instrumentation and skills and long gestation period are the major discouraging factors for funding.
18. Three benefits of having a social enterprise in the Government agency i.e Scale, Efficiency & cost cutting for consumers.
19. Support of ventures as long term partners for social innovations under AGNIi initiative.
20. Requirement of Government support and use of right technology to address the key social challenges directed to benefit the weaker sections of the society.
21. Innovative idea of establishing “Virtual ATM’s” in which no hardware is required.
22. Introduction of “Hospital in a Bag” with a fully automated potable device with webcam, speakers, LAN, TV Screen, USB, Bluetooth, etc which will make it easier for a patient to reach doctor sitting at distance to consult & obtain treatment.
23. Strong National Policies & Programs focused on promoting start-up culture has led to emergence of 8 Unicorns, with 20 in pipeline and raising of 7.8 billion dollars in last nine months by Indian start-ups.
24. About 1500 Innovation Cells in the country has led to submission of 1600 POCs by budding innovators, leading to selection of 43 innovators who have been incubated.
25. Key driving factors for any venture to be successful include ideation based on customer / market demand, stakeholder’s dialogue, qualitative prototypes, mentorship at earlier stage, right team constituents, and early revenues.
26. Make industry-academia strong bond with the help of State Science & Technology Department.
27. Grade institutes on the basis of their research & innovation work that being commercialized.
28. Govt. should make Policies simple for cluster development.


Key messages: 
Developed network of policymakers, scientists and innovators working towards a common objective
Built engagement between research community, industry and investors
Provided opportunities for new collaborations.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
promotion of ESD related to research & innovation
Funding: 
GIZ & Department of Science, Technology & Environment

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon Exhibition_Startup Prize Winner.JPG (8.75 MB)
Image icon Inaugural.JPG (6.04 MB)
Image icon session 1.JPG (6.55 MB)
Image icon session 3.JPG (8.43 MB)
Image icon Session 4.JPG (9.81 MB)
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Direct
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Direct
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Direct
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Direct
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Direct
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No