Persistent Systems, universities tie up to promote innovation

The initiative aims at improving quality of life in India at grass root level

Nashik based Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, along with the University of Pune (UoP), University of Mumbai (UoM), Dr B A Marathwada University (BAMU), Aurangabad and Persistent Systems  have announced a strategic national initiative to identify and promote innovations aimed at improving the quality of life in India at the grass root level.

In line with this, the group will host 'Inclusive Innovations 2013' conference aimed at bringing grass root innovations to the masses.

Also, the group has initiated to from an inter university innovation council centre in Pune to promote innovations and to boost academia-industry relations. University Grants Commission (UGC) will be the main catalyst to set up this centre. The estimated cost for this is Rs 100 crore. To promote innovations, State Innovation Centre has already been set up in Karnataka. On the similar lines, the Pune centre will be established.

Speaking on this, Dr Arun Jamkar, vice chancellor, MUHS said, "It will bring together a multi-disciplinary community of eminent experts and young innovators/scientists from the healthcare, engineering, environment, agriculture and computer sciences (IT) fields to share their ideas and demonstrate the latest innovations in their respective areas. Technology is a key contributor towards the success and development that take place in healthcare. We need knowledge sharing and development platforms like these, where experts and stakeholders from various domains can effectively collaborate and pave the way to bring out new inventions and advancements in healthcare engineering, environment and computer sciences (IT) in our country."

Anand Deshpande, CMD, Persistent Systems said, "At Persistent Systems, we continue to track new industry trends, explore creative development and encourage innovative ideas that solve real-world problems in healthcare, life sciences and other domains It will create a cohesive ecosystem that will support innovators through the innovation lifecycle by mentoring them, as well as teaming them with appropriate angel investors and industry houses. It will also organize multiple programs including conventions, competitions, innovator mentoring workshops, strategy workshops and boot camps with angel investors."