G20 meet in Amritsar set to drive innovation with IIT Ropar at helm

India, with its soon-to-reach 1.4 billion population, has just surpassed China as the world’s most populous country. With 50% of its population under 30 years of age, India should rank 2nd among G20 economies in terms of growth (2022-2023). The meeting will focus on fields of the future such as quantum technology, advanced communication technology, and digital transformation, with Indian research being particularly effective in mathematics and computer science. India has set a goal for itself of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy by 2025. The meeting will also emphasize the global call for clean energy, such as green hydrogen, to address the needs of its large population, in addition to health, especially in connection with the global problem of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.

Under the Indian Presidency, IIT Ropar is committed to ‘Strengthening Research & Innovation through Collaboration’ by implementing best practices and establishing multi-partner collaborations across various G20 partners. The seminars and exhibition will have discussion platforms focusing on strengthening the startup ecosystem, net-zero economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable technologies, health innovations, clean energy, R&D translation, and new and emerging technologies.

The Seminar and exhibition at Amritsar on ‘Strengthening Research & Innovation through Collaboration’ is anticipated to aid in the identification of relevant policies and practices for research and innovations in G20 member nations. The conversation will center on ways to create closer ties and respond to the obstacles each country has in reaching SDG goals. The discussions will also concentrate on methods and tactics, such as cooperative initiatives that could be undertaken/implemented, to encourage collaboration in many fields.

A grand exhibition featuring disruptive technologies and innovative startups with 100 stalls will be set up as part of this event. These stalls will showcase startups and technologies from India and G20 member nations, providing a glimpse into the global landscape of innovations aimed at improving the lives of people.

IIT Ropar will seize this opportunity provided by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to establish a dynamic and agile institutional structure that fosters industry-academia collaboration, prioritizes research areas, simplifies funding, and receives strong policy support at the apex level. This institutional arrangement will prioritize and streamline research, investments, and collaborations, providing equal access to research and innovation opportunities for women and socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

The current government has placed a strong emphasis on promoting the value chain of innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. The Indian innovation system is focused on affordability and accessibility, making it purpose-driven rather than process-driven. As India assumes the presidency, it has the opportunity to build on this tradition and establish itself as a leader in research and innovation in the 21st century. Premier institutes such as IITs can play a pivotal role in making “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and creating synergy during this G20 meeting to reduce the gap in research needs, thereby narrowing it down and making it equal for all countries in facing global challenges.

(Prof Rajeev Ahuja is Director, IIT Ropar)