Industries are not interacting with researchers, says IIT Delhi Director

New Delhi: Prof Ramgopal Rao, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Delhi) has said that the industry is not coming forward and interacting with higher education institutions. He pointed out the problem by saying, “First thing is that the industries are not interacting with researchers. There is so much happening in terms of technology development but the industry does not come forward.”

Prof Rao was speaking at the International Conference on Functional Textiles & Clothing organised with the World University of Design (WUD).

The IIT Delhi Director said that while there are lots of things that are required to happen in technology, there are two things which are not happening. First thing is that the industries are not interacting with researchers. There is so much happening in terms of technology development but the industry does not come forward. The second issue is a manifestation of this, where the students are not excited to do work in textiles for lack of challenges.

One of the promising sector is textiles, as it is expected will go through a major transformation in coming future however according to Prof Rao the industries in India are all very traditional.

“One of the things which we need to do therefore is to have more of start-up activities around textiles. For Example, Textiles department have launched a product Genes with Nano coating which are anti-bacterial & stain resistant. To inform students about the opportunity in textiles and what sort of start-up opportunities exist is the need of the hour. Connecting students with these innovations and industries is important,” Prof Rao said.

The conference was addressed by leading voices from the industry and academia who gave their expert insights on cutting edge technologies, innovations, trends, concerns, challenges and opportunities in the field of Functional and Smart textiles and Clothing.

Dr Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of World University of Design said, “If we look at any commercialized innovation, new product or design, it is always the combination of technology & design that makes it into a product which the consumer finds good to wear, to use or to apply. Along with the technical innovation, the product also needs the empathy of a designer for it to take shape.”