- Three cutting-edge research clusters to redefine academia–industry collaboration at IPC 2026
- Advanced Materials, Energy and MedTech to drive solutions for national priorities
- Over 570 organisations onboard, signalling strong industry-academia convergence
- Shift from MoUs to co-creation model marks transformative research ecosystem
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, APR 16
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) will pre-launch three interdisciplinary Research Clusters at the Industry Partnership Conclave 2026 (IPC 2026), scheduled for April 18, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen long-term collaboration between academia and industry. The event will be graced by Chief Guest Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary, Energy & Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat.
The three clusters, Advanced Materials, Energy, and Healthcare & MedTech, represent a strategic step by IITGN to align its research ecosystem with pressing industrial and societal challenges. The initiative is designed to move beyond transactional, project-based engagements towards sustained, co-creative partnerships with industry.
In line with this vision, IITGN’s Research Clusters will enable industry partners to engage with faculty from the early stages of research design, access advanced infrastructure, and co-develop technologies and intellectual property with commercial potential.
The clusters will focus on key national priorities. The Advanced Materials cluster will address next-generation applications in energy, defence, and manufacturing. The Energy cluster will focus on clean energy transition, smart grids, and sustainable fuels. The Healthcare & MedTech cluster will advance drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostics, and AI-driven healthcare solutions.
Reflecting strong industry interest, IPC 2026 has received an overwhelming response of 642 registrations from 571 organisations across industry, startups, MSMEs, academia, government agencies, and investor firms. Leading organisations such as Tata Consultancy Services, Larsen & Toubro, Reliance BP Mobility, GMR Group, and Zydus Lifesciences are among the participants.
The conclave has also witnessed participation from startups (234), MSMEs (77), academia and research organisations (105), government agencies (37), and venture capital firms (25). Notably, 218 participants already have existing engagements with IITGN, underscoring the Institute’s growing role as a preferred research partner.
The inaugural session will also feature keynote addresses by Yu Yoshida, Director General, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); Mukul Jain, President, Zydus Research Centre, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd; and Narottam Sahoo, Advisor & Member Secretary, Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST).
The inaugural session will be followed by breakout sessions for each research cluster, one-on-one industry–faculty meetings, guided laboratory visits, and partnership signing ceremonies.
Speaking on the initiative, Prof Vimal Mishra, Dean, Research & Development, IIT Gandhinagar, said, “IIT Gandhinagar’s Research Clusters mark a new chapter in how India’s premier technical institutions engage with industry. This is not about signing MoUs; it is about building an enduring innovation ecosystem that translates research into industrial and societal impact.”
