India, 22^ndOctober 2020.

India's R&D spending is just below 1% of GDP compared to Israel's 4.2%, Korea Republic 4.3 %, US 2.7 %, and China's 2. % as per UNESCO Institute of Statistics, 2019.This is one of the potential gaps in R&D ecosystem in India. To address this issue IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Knowledge Committee in association with MIT-World Peace University, Punewill be organizing INDCON 2020-2021with the theme "Building Stronger R&D Ecosystem-Enabling Saksham Bharat Abhiyaan."

The 11 city tour will kickstart from Mumbai - Pune on Monday, October 26 byMr. Rajiv Podar - Honorable President, IMC, Mr. Juzar Khorakiwal - Honourable Vice President, IMC,Mr. Ajit Mangrulkar – Director General, IMC,Shri. Rahul V.Karad - Managing Trustee& Executive President, MIT-WPUalong with Prof. N. T. Rao -Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU, Mr. Pravin V Patil - CEO, CIAP, MIT-WPU and Dr. Prasad Khandekar - Chairman, Organizing Committee, INDCON along with other dignitaries.

Thisinaugural three-day long sessions INDCON 2020-2021 starting from 26^th October to 28^th October 2020will witness representatives from industry, academia, educationists, scholars and other experts representing different regions and cities of India.INDCON 2020-2021 will have a series of conclaves for over Eight months covering the regions which include Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Indore and Chandigarh.

Mr. Rajiv Podar, President- IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry said "INDCON- The Industry Academia Conference brings together eminent personalities from the Industry and Educational Institutions to brainstorm on how to make Education lead the way for Industrial innovation and development as India marches forward. Spread across 11 cities thisconference would open new thoughts and ideas for a Saksham Bharat".

Prof. Rahul V. Karad - Managing Trustee& Executive President, MIT- World Peace University said“Building a stronger R&D Ecosystem is required to compete globally, and both government and businesses needs to wake up to the urgency. The aim of this conference is to bring together senior industry leaders and academia to discuss, deliberate brainstorm ideas to bridge the existing gaps. A robust cooperation between them will help us create strong foundation for a stronger economy, enable innovation, growth in the education system and the creation of employment-ready workforce. This initiative is an effort to conduct a dialogue to understand how Industry needs are evolving and what process needs to be put in place steps meet the future demands”.

Mr. Pravin V.Patil,  Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Industry – Academia Partnerships (CIAP) , MIT-  World Peace University said, “Universities have an essential role to play in R&D across the globe. Every innovation powered by the start-up community around the world, whether it is Silicon Valley, London, Tel Aviv, Beijing or Seoul, has made universities the primary catalysts for innovation. It is necessary to take up the task of initiating research activities and MIT- World Peace University, Pune is spearheading this role through industry academia relations. The forum hopes to create a vibrant and enlightening dialogue on issues of mutual importance which will have a tremendous impact on the future of our society”.

The representatives will deliberate on developing industry-academia collaborative research ecosystem in India. At the end of this pan-India exercise, MIT-World Peace University will prepare a White Paper based on inputs from various regions and submit to the government for consideration.