INDIA - UK TECH SUMMIT 2016

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Department of Science & Technology, Government of India organized India - UK Tech Summit 2016 from 7th - 9th November 2016 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. The idea behind the Summit 2016 was to bring together the most exciting thought leaders, businesses, educational institutions and innovators to connect and explore the future of India - UK collaboration showcase for future technologies. With visions of both the Prime Ministers to create a new era of bilateral economic relationship between the two countries Honorable Prime Minister of India Shree Narendra Modi and Honorable Prime Minister of U.K Rt. Hon Theresa May inaugurated the Summit.

Prof. (Dr.) B. M. K. Prasad, Principal, Dr. Vishal Bharti, Head, Department of Computer Science & Engineering and Mrs. Dimple Saproo, Head, Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, from Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon attended the Summit.

The TECH Summit basically comprised of five inter - related summits namely, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Higher Education, Design and Intellectual Property. During the inauguration ceremony, Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narander Modi called upon Indian and UK businesses to leverage each other’s scientific strength and technological prowess for addressing new investment opportunities. He also emphasized the need for student mobility as they can define bilateral engagement in a shared future and greater participation of young people in educational and research opportunities.

The chief guest of the summit was Rt Hon Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announced that the two countries are setting up an India - UK Urban Partnership. She also stated With India undertaking large programs such as Make in India and Digital India, and the UK expanding its economic and social reforms, the two countries must support each other.

Some of the keynote speakers at the TECH Summit included Mr. Greg Hands MP, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, UK, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India, Mr. Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, Dr Naushad Forbes, President, Confederation of Indian Industry, Dr. Atul Chauhan, Chancellor, Amity University, Mr. Sunil Sood, Managing Director, Vodafone India, Mr. Tim Davie, Chief Executive Officer, BBC Worldwide and Dr Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson, Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

The insights of the TECH Summit included discussions by the UK and Indian Ministers and leaders who are shaping the technology and innovation of the two countries. It was a platform to come across the UK businesses with, technology, products and services to meet Indian market demands; and also the Indian companies that have invested in UK successfully, or improved their businesses through UK collaboration.

This Summit also gave a chance to explore the vast market, rich in opportunities; showcase one’s technology, products and expertise in front of ready - to - buy Indian businesses and Government partners. The focus sectors at the Summit were, advanced manufacturing & Robotics; Life Sciences & Healthcare & Smart Cities.

One of the most familiar and respected speaker was Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India, enlightened all the delegates and session speaker by his cunning and most knowledge speech which motivated and encouraged all the delegates which attended the summit.

Inaugural addresses for the second session were Mr. Arun Jaitley Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs and Mr.Liam Fox Secretary of State for International Trade U.K.

Mr. Arun Jaitley, detailed the India - UK Tech Summit throws up opportunities for joint ventures and associations between India and the UK. Lauding the UK’s technological leadership, that India’s manpower resources are quickly developing competitive skills, which can be leveraged by the UK. Rt Hon Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, UK, expressed that the India - UK TECH Summit is a celebration of the best of India and the UK. He mentioned that a new Joint Working Group of senior officials on trade and investment has been set up for regular dialogue on broadening and deepening the relationship. The TECH Summit is vital to the vision of transforming the future of bilateral relations, said the Secretary.

In the evening session of second day of the summit, AICTE - CII Survey of Industry-Linked Technical Institutes 2016, Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme for Doctoral Research was discussed and CII Industrial Innovation Awards 2016 were announced. During the session, the opening remarks was given by Dr. Y S Rajan and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Distinguished Professor ISRO. The brief remarks on Prime Minister Fellowship was given up by Dr R Brakaspathy, Secretary, Science & Engineering Research Board and the Brief Remarks on AICTE-CII Survey of Industry-Linked Technical Institutes awards were announced by Dr Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education.

1251 Institutes had participated in this survey and five colleges were Conferred Winner in different Category.

Department of Electronics and Communication was awarded the winner in AICTE - CII Survey of Industry-linked Technical Institutes 2016 under the Category of Electronics and Allied Engineering sponsored by ELICO Limited.

Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon participated in AICTE – CII Survey of Industry-linked Technical Institutes 2016 in which Computer Science and Engineering Department was ranked in Platinum Category with a score band of >30.

It was a proud moment for Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon to be recognized on such a huge platform in -front of great delegates from not only India but also the United Kingdom. Also, it was great experience in all to get to know about various opportunities in varied fields in both the nations.