In a bid to give further impetus to promote research & innovation in the state through collaborative efforts, the Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Punjab has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC), Ludhiana and leading Industrial Associations of sanitary fitting cluster, steel re-rolling mill and sewing machine & parts manufacturers.The MoU was signed by Principal Secretary Science, Technology and Environment Rakesh Verma, Principal GNDECL Dr. Sehijpal Singh, President All India Steel Re-rollers Association (AISRA), Mandi Gobindgarh Vinod Vashisht; Director, Mohali Hitech Metal Cluster (MHMC), Mohali B. S. Anand and Chairman, United Sewing Machine & Parts Manufacturers Association (USMPMA), Ludhiana Dalbir Singh.This initiative was taken to jointly address the issues of State importance pertaining to the environment, climate change & public health to achieve the overall goal & objectives newly launched Mission Tandrust Punjab 2.0, said Verma adding this step would further promote research & innovation ecosystem in the State to enhance competitiveness, boost economic growth and create quality jobs.During the event, Rakesh Verma informed that research & innovation culture in MSMEs was need of the hour to remain competitive in the market. Further, there is a dire need to bring the ecosystem of industry –academia linkage in order to provide the technical support to MSMEs in the State. The focus areas for collaboration with industrial associations included R&D support for new product development, advanced manufacturing, industry 4.0, energy efficiency, waste minimisation and capacity building, he added.Verma said that this initiative would undertake state specific collaborative programs for new and innovative research in the areas of manufacturing, energy and environment.