Date- 25 June, 2026 (9:30 AM onwards)
DST-Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Panjab University (PU) conducted a national workshop on “Fostering Research and Innovation in MSMEs India’s journey towards becoming a Global Manufacturing Hub”. The workshop aims to promote and institutionalize the Innovation Circle (IC) Model among MSMEs, helping enterprises strengthen innovation capabilities, enhance technological competitiveness, and build sustainable growth pathways. This workshop is jointly organized with Centre for Knowledge Ideas and Development Studies (KnIDS), Kolkata, with support from Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India under A2K+ Programme. The key highlights were the understanding the Innovation Circle (IC) framework, Building innovation capacity within enterprises, Strengthening Industry–Academia Collaborations. The event is graced by dignitaries from national agencies, industry and academia. Prof. Renu Vig, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh
in his inaugural address, highlighted the well-established ecosystem of PU and its progression towards achieving technology deployment. She informed that start up ecosystem led by student are excelling in technology transfer. She stress upon improving patents, deployment rate by academic faculty which will be important in ranking innovation ecosystem. Dr. Kailash Petkar, Scientist, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, New Delhi in his address stressed upon becoming global manufacturing hub which require upliftment of MSMEs to emerge as R&D leaders. He mentioned DSIR initiatives in this regard are taking lead through various schemes such as CRDTH and PRISM as well as collaborating with national agencies such as CSIR and NITI Aayog. Dr. Ashok A. Sonkusare, Deputy Adviser (Science & Technology), NITI Aayog graced the event. He highlighted the concept of innovation circle is very important in existing R&D ecosystem to increase the contribution to GDP. He mentioned R&D need to connect with innovation output to meet 2047 goals of Viksit Bharat. Mission like Atal Innovation Mission, studies such as ‘Ease of doing Research’ have continuously contributed in this regard. Prof. Pradosh Nath, Director, KnIDS, Kolkata in his address informed the need to understand how the innovation is happening, taking one step up from why innovation is important. Dr. Parveen Arora, Fmr. Adviser, DST, GoI. New Delhi & Adviser, STI, KnIDS, Kolkata introduced the audience to the innovation circle model, necessary to uplift the innovation capacity of MSMEs and complete the cycle of intra enterprise interaction. Prof. Kashmir Singh, Coordinator, DST-CPR, Panjab University, Chandigarh highlighted that organising such workshop can bridge the gap between industry and academia as well as can serve as knowledge sharing platforms. As many as 100 delegates from industry, MSMEs, academia showed the presence.
The event witnessed lectures and panel discussion on the thematic areas.
