On Wednesday (September 3), CM Yogi Adityanath attended and addressed the Samanvay industry-academia engagement program at IIT Kanpur. During his address, he emphasised the importance of stronger cooperation between industry and academia to make India a global leader in technology and sustainable development.
According to him, key areas like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and sustainability are crucial to innovation and improving citizens’ quality of life. For that, industry collaboration with academia is crucial.
Focus on Industry-Academia Collaboration
Adityanath stressed that collaboration between industry and academic institutions is vital to solving global challenges. He emphasised that this is essential for building a developed and self-reliant India. He praised IIT Kanpur’s six decades of contributions to technology. Furthermore, he urged it to lead India’s first Deep-Tech India 2025 initiative, with land already allotted for this purpose.
Economy and UP’s Transformation
During his address, the Chief Minister traced India’s economic history. He said a decline from 25% of global GDP before the 17th century to just 2% at independence in 1947. He admitted recent reforms which pushed India to the world’s fourth-largest economy. This may potentially reach third place within two years. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s transformation into the country’s second-largest economy. The transformation was achieved by shedding its past “BIMARU” image through better law and order, investment, and infrastructure. He cited improvements in Bundelkhand, where access to tap water and farm incomes have grown significantly. There was also a massive plantation drive increasing forest cover.
Call for Innovation Investment
Yogi Adityanath called on industries to focus on reinvesting in innovation rather than just profits. He recalled IIT Kanpur’s role during the COVID-19 crisis and its contributions to the Defence Corridor and Med-Tech Centre. He stressed that joint efforts would help restore India’s global leadership.
Launch of DeepTech Bharat 2025 Conference
At the event, India’s first National DeepTech Conference—DeepTech Bharat 2025—was launched, with participants including DRDO, ISRO, MeitY, and over 200 venture capital firms. The conference centres on AI, Semiconductors, Quantum Technology, Space Tech, and Biosciences. It also unveiled the DeepTech Policy 2035 and India’s first AI co-pilot. The aim is to make Uttar Pradesh the first deep-tech-ready state and support a $1 trillion economy.
Notable Attendees
Cabinet Minister Rakesh Sachan, IIT Kanpur Director Prof. Manindra Agarwal, TCS CTO Dr. Harry Queen, and Deputy Director Prof. Brajbhushan attended the event.
The UP Government, under CM Yogi, is pushing for a better collaboration between academia and industry. The goal is to drive innovation, technology, and sustainable development for a developed UP and developed nation.
