The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee hosted the Industry-Academia Meet 2025 at its Department of Water Resources Development and Management (WRD&M).
Held on 28 April, the event served as a robust platform to foster dialogue between scholars, researchers, and industrial leaders, catalysing a new era of innovation aligned with India’s sustainability goals.The meet opened under the stewardship of Prof. Thanga Raj Chelliah, Head of WRD&M, who highlighted the critical need for academic research to respond to industrial and societal challenges. Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, set a visionary tone, urging the academic community to directly connect research with ground realities. Stressing the urgent need for transformative solutions, Prof. Pant spoke passionately about recycling industrial wastewater, designing low-cost technologies for small industries, and promoting innovations that could reverse migration and bolster local livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas.
A Tech Expo showcasing cutting-edge student research gave a glimpse into the possibilities of next-generation water and environmental technologies. The sessions that followed reflected an extraordinary blend of academic rigour and industrial pragmatism. A Round Table Discussion, led by Prof. Thanga Raj Chelliah, underscored the urgent need to modernise WRD&M’s curriculum. Recommendations included deeper integration of structural design education, adherence to Indian standard codes, real-world fieldwork, and the inclusion of advanced subjects such as underground hydropower systems.
Simultaneously, an Industry Talks session revealed the rapid technological strides being made across water management and agriculture. Companies like TIDES, 3S Instruments Pvt. Ltd., Bhoomicam, UTNT, and Trimble brought forward revolutionary ideas, from AI-powered agricultural solutions to precision geospatial technologies. Emerging startups and research labs, including Crystal Vision and Sustainico Technologies, displayed prototypes that promise to reshape environmental sustainability across multiple sectors.
The mid-day Open Discussion Forum, chaired by Prof. Deepak Khare, Dean of Finance and Planning, further cemented the collaboration between academia and industry. Stalwarts like Er. Hridesh Baindail and Mr. Saurabh Tiwari offered strategic insights into the need for research commercialisation, the importance of patents, and pathways to bridge education with industrial needs. Discussions emphasised not only curriculum transformation but also the development of climate-resilient infrastructure, an essential need for India’s vulnerable urban centres.
Students, the heartbeat of the institution, found ample opportunity to present their innovative projects during the afternoon stall exhibitions. From hydropower simulations to membrane technologies for wastewater treatment, their work resonated strongly with industry visitors, sparking meaningful conversations about real-world applications and future collaborations.The event concluded on a note of optimism, leaving a clear message: institutions like IIT Roorkee must lead the charge towards an eco-friendly, equitable future where education, industry, and innovation move in perfect synchrony. By focusing on sustainable, zero-carbon technologies and curriculum reforms that equip students for real-world challenges, the Industry-Academia Meet 2025 at IIT Roorkee has undoubtedly set a benchmark for responsible and responsive higher education in India.
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IIT Roorkee Meet Champions Sustainable Innovation
