INDIA - UK TECH SUMMIT 2016

India - UK Tech Summit 2016 was organized jointly by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Department of Science & Technology, Government of India in the presence of, Sh. Narendra Modi, H’ble Prime Minister of India and Prime Minister of UK, Rt. Hon Theresa May, from 7th - 9th November 2016 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. Prof. D.V. Bhise of Mechanical Department of Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noidaattended the summit.   The TECH Summit was a blend of trade expo, thought leadership, business - to - business conclave and a celebration of this unbeatable combination, providing a forum for business, a space for new connections, and a showcase of future technologies.

The Tech summit comprised of the following interrelated topics:

1. Technology

2. Entrepreneurship & Innovation

3. Design

4. Higher Education

5. Intellectual Property

Inaugural session

The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi along with Rt. Honorable Theresa May, the Prime Minister of United Kingdom in the presence of ministers, industry experts & Academicians, from India & UK.

The Hon’ble Prime minister further added that today, the world is at an inflection point where technology advancement is transformational. It is vital that India and the United Kingdom, linked by history, work together to define the knowledge economy of the 21st century.India & UK together can leverage the scientific strengths and technological prowess to create new opportunities.

The present India - U.K. cooperation in science and technology is driven by ‘high quality’ and ‘high impact’ research partnerships. In less than two years under the ‘Newton - Bhabha’ program India & UK started wide ranging collaborations covering basic science to solution science aimed at addressing societal challenges.

Together, our scientific communities are working on new vaccines for infectious diseases, inventing new smart materials, providing solutions for clean energy and climate change mitigation, and improving crop productivity including agriculture and food security.

India & UK have agreed to establish India - U.K. Clean Energy R&D Centre on solar energy with joint investment of 10 million pounds. A new Anti - Microbial Resistance initiative with joint investment of 15 million pounds is also being launched.

India’s partnership with U.K. in industrial research has been one of the most exciting programs. The Global Innovation & Technology Alliance or GITA platform of CII and Department of Science and Technology along with Innovate - U.K. supports industry led R&D projects in affordable healthcare, clean technology, manufacturing and ICT.

Rt. Theresa May, Prime Minister of  UK discussed with PM Modi, his team and Indian businesses how India & UK can work together to seize those possibilities, Building a partnership that is focused resolutely on shaping our shared future bilaterally and on the global stage.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Naushad Forbes, President, CII said India - UK CII - DST Tech summit focuses on the two points of how to increase public investment in research and how to get firms to invest more in science and technology.

Panel Discussion

During the panel discussion on Technology Driven Business, Government & Society Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, Govt. of India said that “The two countries must explore innovative technologies and knowledge creation for wealth creation”. He further added that together both the countries should now address grand challenges through scientific understanding and technology interventions on Public Health & Well Being; Energy - Water - Food nexus; Sustainable Infrastructure; as well as Manufacturing Technologies and Big Data Analytics. These are all priority focus areas of the present government under our national missions like Make in India, Digital India, Smart Cities, Clean India and Start-up India.

Rt. Hon. Liam Fox MP Secretary State for international Trade reminded the audience how UK was considered the most innovative country in the world and that it was the "natural partner" for India to grow its skilled workforce and help accelerate technological development. He also referred to India's smart cities project as "perhaps the world's most ambitious project" and a key sector where UK was partnering the country. Concluding his address, he stated, "India is taking its place in the world and Britain will stand by one of it strongest allies."

Mr. Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog said - India should push the limit when it comes to enhancing and deepening trade & investment at the bilateral level.

Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India,expressed that India needs different kinds of technologies and innovation to address the diverse local requirements, at different price levels for diverse segments of the population.

Inaugural addresses for the second session were given by Mr. Arun Jaitley Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs and Mr. Liam Fox Secretary of State for International Trade U.K.

In his address Mr. Arun Jaitley said - "Protectionism is a voice almost not heard in India any longer," he emphasized. "India is impatient and, as an aspirational nation, doesn't want to let go of any opportunity." He believed that the share of manufacturing has to increase from the present 15% to 25% level. He also referred to manufacturing's "huge potential to grow especially in eastern India" and welcomed investments in infrastructure given the country's ambitious highway construction programme as well as in railway stations, airports and seaports.

Panel Discussion

During the panel discussion on Future Healthcare Sir Andrew Witty, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline expressed that without technology, the mission of the government to bring better healthcare access for everyone in India is going to be a challenge. Technology has the power to treat people in a cost - effective way and brings the focus towards prevention rather than cure. It brings awareness and also lets people spend lesser time in hospitals. India has the opportunity of using fresh technology and build products with a fresh approach, unlike anywhere else in the world. India, in general, has a very diverse and vibrant startup culture and ecosystem. With India’s size and the diversity of population, it’s also understood that the scope and breadth of startups will only increase.

During the panel discussion on Social Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurshipsaid skill set needs to be developed for jobs in unorganized sector such as utility services.

There is lack of standardization, common framework and certification of skilling in India. There is a requirement for well trained trainers and quality curriculum based on a standardized national framework to resolve these problems. The first work this Ministry is doing is to rationalize the training norms in terms of inputs and outcomes across the Ministries and Departments.

Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida participated in AICTE – CII Survey of Industry-linked Technical Institutes 2016 in which Mechanical Engineering Department was ranked in Platinum Category with a score band of >30.

The summit, has provided a wide - ranging knowledge partnership platform to industry, institutions and government agencies from India and the UK for forging knowledge, Business Partnerships in manufacturing, trade & investments and also in facilitating a comprehensive convergence of key elements of Knowledge Economy, i.e., Science, Technology and Research & Development; Design; Intellectual Property Rights, Higher Education and Skills; and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.