Earlier this year Nokia, a Finnish multinational, announced its collaboration with the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bengaluru for research in 6G technologies. The joint research will be conducted at the company’s newly inaugurated 6G lab in Bengaluru.
Cut to Wipro, an information technology (IT) giant, which is partnering with IISc to offer its employees a course in artificial intelligence (AI).
While academia-industry partnerships have been prevalent in the West for a while, in India it had not really gelled. But things are slowly changing, and the reasons are twofold.
First, the realisation among university dons that research has to keep in mind market needs. And second, the squeeze in funding from the central government.
Funding Autumn
In the Union Budget for 2024–25, the allocation for the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been slashed by over 60%, dropping to Rs 2,500 crore from Rs 6,409 crore in the revised budget estimate of the previous year. The budget for Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) also witnessed a slight dip from 2023–24 revised estimates of Rs 10,384.21 crore to Rs 10,324.50 crore in the budget. The allocation for Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has been slashed for the second consecutive year.
Despite the government focus on research and development (R&D), the expenditure as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) has declined in the past few years. Although absolute spending has increased from Rs 60,197 crore in 2010–11 to Rs 1,27,381 crore in 2020–21, India currently spends just about 0.65% on R&D as a share of GDP as against the global average of about 1.8%.
The budget for the department of higher education has not seen any significant change over the years. In 2012–13, the budget was set at 0.27% of the GDP, and a decade later, in 2023–24, it dipped to 0.26%.
Bu hikaye Outlook Business dergisinin August 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Outlook Business dergisinin August 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'Automation is Redefining Efficiency and Precision in Jewellery Manufacturing'
Increasing brand consciousness and awareness among consumers is helping expand the organised jewellery retail industry. MP Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group, discusses prominent trends in the jewellery industry
BATTLE TO WIN THE AI RACE
In Supremacy, Parmy Olson tells the astonishing and behind-the-scenes story of the battle between the world’s two leading artificial intelligence firms, OpenAl and DeepMind and the continuing rivalry of its founders Sam Altman and Demis Hassabis respectively
A LEADER WHO EMPOWERS
Anshul Arzare, MD and CEO of YES SECURITIES, wants to ensure a workplace where employees not only contribute to the company's vision but also feel content
EV Unplugged
Electric vehicles are crucial to India’s climate change plan. But reliance on China for imports and technology constraints remain hurdles the sector needs to overcome
Every Lamborghini Owner is a Brand Ambassador
Regional director of Automobili Lamborghini, Francesco Scardaoni, talks to Prachi Khanna about the brand’s approach to fostering a sense of community among its vehicle owners. Edited excerpts
NO ZEST FOR ZED
A government initiative to green MSMEs is not finding enough takers
SMALL PLANTS, BIG TROUBLE
Climate-triggered stress is placing an unprecedented burden on small businesses. But a lack of access to climate aid hinders the sector's ability to adopt greener methods
'We Think About the Rider More Than Any Other Company
Rapido co-founder Aravind Sanka talks to Neeraj Thakur and Deepsekhar Choudhury about how flexibility and fair pay helped his company disrupt the Ola-Uber duopoly. Edited excerpts
LABOUR PANGS
Rising cost of living in a fast-growing economy is making workers restless
'Hustle is No Virtue'
It has become fashionable to talk about the verb “hustle” these days, especially in professional settings.
