Boosting Innovation: IIT Delhi Hosts Research Programme for UP Colleges

HS Foundation, in partnership with Blockchain For Impact (BFI), has launched a three-day research and innovation capacity-building programme at IIT Delhi. The initiative aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystems in tier-2 and tier-3 districts, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

This residential programme gathered 63 faculty members from 35 educational institutions across 25 districts, including cities like Lucknow, Meerut, and Mathura. Participants represented diverse academic fields such as engineering, medicine, law, and management.

The initiative is expected to indirectly benefit over 135,000 students through the training of their faculty. The focus is on building institutional research and incubation capacities, positioning faculty as key drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship within their campuses.

Focus on Faculty-Led Incubation

The primary objective is to assist colleges in establishing functional incubation cells. Faculty members are being trained to identify real-world challenges, convert academic research into practical solutions, and mentor students in entrepreneurship.

Hosted within IIT Delhi’s innovation ecosystem, the programme includes structured sessions on problem identification, entrepreneurship models, funding, intellectual property management, and technology transfer. Practical exercises, discussions, and pitching workshops provide a hands-on approach to applying these concepts.

FITT–IIT Delhi will continue to support participating institutions by offering mentorship for operationalising incubation cells and early-stage innovation projects.

“Innovation in India needs to extend beyond urban centers,” stated Ashish Dhar Dwivedi, Managing Trustee of HS Foundation. He emphasized the importance of empowering faculty across various regions to build sustainable research and entrepreneurship ecosystems in Uttar Pradesh.

Nikhil Agarwal, Director of FITT–IIT Delhi, highlighted that faculty-driven innovation is essential for the long-term translation of research into practical applications. IIT Delhi remains committed to aiding regional institutions in developing robust incubation and innovation capabilities.

Organisers believe this programme could serve as a replicable model for enhancing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across other states, especially outside major metropolitan areas.