In a bid to give further impetus to promote research & innovation in the state through collaborative efforts, the Science, Technology & Environment department, Punjab and Indian Institute of Technology Ropar on Tuesday inked an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).The MoU was signed by Principal Secretary, Science, Technology & Environment R.K. Verma and Director, IIT Ropar Prof. Sarit K. Das.Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the underlying objective of this MoU, signed at IIT Ropar campus, was to take up collaborative programmes for research and innovation in the areas of mutual interest to enhance competitiveness, boost economic growth and create quality jobs. The other focus areas for collaboration in research included; Clean Air, Clean Water, Waste Management, Clean Soil, Green Punjab, Food Safety, Road Safety, Khedo Punjab, Nutrition and Preventive Health identified under identified under Mission Innovate and Mission Tandrust Punjab.The spokesperson further said that in recognition of the strength of IIT Ropar in research & innovation and priorities of State Government in making the state a Research & Innovation Hub, it has been decided to make collaborative efforts in the areas of mutual interest through; partnership to undertake state specific collaborative programs for new and innovative research for improvement of environment in general and water quality in particular, analysis and interpretation of data with respect to water quality in the state and suggest ways and means as well as innovative technologies to replenish ground water in the exploited blocks. Likewise, the collaborative efforts would also result in providing technological support to manufacturing sector and handholding for industry 4.0 as well as support with respect to recycling and reuse of waste water to ensure Zero Liquid Discharge and promoting innovation ecosystem in the State particularly provide mentorship, guidance and support to technology start-ups.Apart from these, the research endeavour would also undertake faculty development programmes to teach innovations to other institutions in the neighbourhood/region, human resource capacity development for addressing locally relevant concerns, undertake education and awareness programmes and take up short-term student projects on issues of mutual interests as per State specific needs & priorities.It may be recalled that Punjab government has launched Mission Innovate Punjab and Mission Tandrust Punjab under the aegis of Department of Science, Technology & Environment (DSTE) to make Punjab the healthiest State.Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included; Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Dean, IIT Ropar Prof. Harpreet Singh, Prof. Deepak Kashyap and Dean Research, IIT Ropar Prof. Javed Agrewala.