Khagol Bulletin # 135 (Jan 2025) - ENG

| 03 | KHAG L | No. 135 - JANUARY 2025 funding plays a critical role, especially in institutions like IITs, where a large portion of revenue is subsidised. Citing the example of institutions like Stanford, he said that they demonstrate a diversified funding model, where research grants and endowments supplement revenue from tuition fees. Such a model allows for greater operational flexibility and growth. Professor Rao highlighted the importance of collaborative initiatives between academic institutions and external stakeholders, which can lead to significant advancements in research and innovation. He said institutions could substantially increase their impact by incentivising faculty and fostering interdisciplinary work. He said that investment in faculty collaboration at IIT Delhi yielded impressive returns, generating 140 crores from an i n i t i a l i n v e s tme n t o f 7 c r o r e s , demonstrating the effectiveness of strategic funding in research. Prof. Rao said that creating a supportive ecosystem for startups within academic institutions can lead to successful entrepreneurial ventures among faculty and gave the example of IIT, Delhi. He said that initiatives such as granting Another example was an explosive detection technology created using the same innovative sensor platform, showcasing its versatility across different applications and enhancing security measures. A project focusing on agricultural sensors aims to monitor soil health, thereby improving farming practices and resource management through precise nutrient detection. Prof. sabbaticals for startup founders were seen t o e n c o u r a g e i n n o v a t i o n a n d entrepreneurship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, IIT Delhi prioritised research on related technologies, resulting in the filing of numerous patents and significant contributions to public health. This focus showcased latent talent within the institution. Prof. Rao presented a video highlighting the development of innovative sensor technologies to address critical issues. Scientists at IIT, Bombay, developed a cardiac diagnostic system to provide rapid heart disease assessments with just a drop of blood, enhancing emergencymedical response. In conclusion, Prof. Rao explained that understanding the 'smile curve' concept emphasises that high value is generated during the product conceptualisation phase. He suggested that Indian startups should focus on innovative ideas rather than manufacturing alone. The audience much appreciated the enlightening talk, and a lively interaction with the audience followed. Rao stressed that it was essential to encourage collaborations between academia and industry to advance technology and research in India, adding that by leveraging their strengths, they can create impactful solutions and drive economic growth. An example was the development of organic dosimeters for cancer therapy to help optimise radiation doses while minimising harm to healthy cells. Prof. Rao cited the success of startups like Nanosniff and Soil Sense, highlighting the potential of innovation in the agricultural and safety sectors. He said that these companies have transformed prototypes intomarket-ready products. Events at IUCAA Gravitational-Wave Instrumentation Workshop The recorded lecture is available at the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/live/z7Jm_SzEHC8?si=O0wQSZeSOAeeCE5f