Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal on Tuesday envisioned that Punjab would soon emerge as a front runner state in innovation and technological advancements in the country as it had already made enormous contribution in the fields of agriculture and defence being aptly known as the nation’s food bowl and sword arm.While addressing the galaxy of leading technocrats, researchers and academicians, after inaugurating ‘Punjab Innovation and Technology Summit-2019’, the Finance Minister said that Punjab had tremendous potential to boost research, science and technology, which should be optimally tapped to usher in era of innovative revolution. As a part of 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the the State Government has taken a conscientious decision to make Punjab commensurate with the international standard of Innovation and Technological advancements. He said this Summit would be instrumental in bringing Universities, research institutions and industrialists on a common platform to achieved the desired goals in a result oriented manner as well as making Punjab a leading state in this sector.
During the Summit, 18 Memorandums of Understanding were signed with various educational institutions, research institutes and industrial organisations including Plaksha University, IIT Ropar, IMTECH Chandigarh, Public Health Foundation of India New Delhi, DAV University Jalandhar, Chitkara University Rajpura, Birmingham City University of UK, GNE College Ludhiana, LPU Jalandhar, NIT Jalandhar, NAIPER, Punjabi University Patiala, All India Reroler Association, Mohali Hi Tech Metal Cluster, Chamber of Industries and Commerce Undertaking, United Sewing Machine and Parts Manufacturers Associations and Automobile Industry.Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary Science and Technology Rakesh Verma outlined the blue print of Mission Innovation Punjab and Technology in the state which aimed at building a robust ecosystem for research and innovation in the State by synergising a strong relationship amongst key sectors such as Government, Universities and Research Institutions, Industries, Human Capital and Finance. Eight sessions under themes of Innovation and Academia, Leveraging Punjab as Land of Opportunities for Innovations, Exploring Global opportunities for collaboration and Convergence, Disruptive Technologies, Social Innovations and Enterprises, Funding Opportunities, Young Innovators & Start-ups and Technology Transformation of Punjab MSMEs were also held during the summit. Executive Director of Science and Technology Department Dr. Jatinder Kaur proposed vote of thanks.