**Policy Summary: NRDC and Doon University Partner to Boost Innovation and Commercialization in Uttarakhand**
The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Doon University, Dehradun, have entered into a strategic partnership formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on July 31, 2025, at Raj Bhawan, Dehradun. This collaboration aims to foster research, innovation, and technology commercialization, aligning with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The partnership will focus on several key areas, including:
* **Intellectual Property Protection:** NRDC will support Doon University in patent filings and technology transfer.
* **Technology Commercialization:** Transforming university research into tangible economic value and market-ready solutions.
* **Entrepreneurship Development:** Nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among students and faculty.
* **Academia-Industry Collaboration:** Bridging the gap between academic research and industry needs.
Doon University will leverage its Schools of Environment & Natural Resources, Design, and key science departments, along with its advanced research facilities, to contribute to Uttarakhand's knowledge economy. The university will focus on IP-driven research and securing patents and trademarks.
Key figures present at the signing included Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand; Cmde Amit Rastogi (Retd.), CMD, NRDC; and Prof. Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor, Doon University. Other attendees included Shri Ravinath Raman, IAS Secretary to Hon'ble Governor; Smt. Reena Joshi, IAS Additional Secretary to Hon'ble Governor; Mr. N.G. Lakshminarayan DGM, NRDC; Dr. Arun Kumar Director, Research Development Cell, Doon University; Smt. Smriti Khanduri Finance Controller, Doon University; Shri Durgesh Dimri Registrar, Doon University.
This collaboration is expected to enhance R&D outcomes, facilitate startup creation, and strengthen industry-academia synergy in Uttarakhand. It also sets a precedent for other state universities to explore similar partnerships, contributing to the state's emergence as an innovation hub.
NRDC is a premier organization under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, focused on the commercialization of technologies and IPR management. Doon University is a leading state university known for its interdisciplinary research and excellence in environmental sciences, technology, and design.
Key Entities Referenced
National Research Development Corporation: An organization under the Ministry of Science and Technology that facilitates the commercialization of technologies and IPR management.
Doon University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand: A state university focused on interdisciplinary research, known for its excellence in environmental sciences, technology, and design located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Ministry of Science Technology: The Indian government ministry under which the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) operates.
Viksit Bharat 2047: A national vision of India, which emphasizes strengthening Uttarakhand's innovation ecosystem.
Raj Bhawan, Dehradun, Uttarakhand: The location where the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between NRDC and Doon University.
Uttarakhand: The state where Doon University is located, and where the collaboration aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
Gurmit Singh: Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, the Honble Governor of Uttarakhand.
Surekha Dangwal: Prof. Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor, Doon University.
Ministry of Science & Technology
National Research Development Corporation
(NRDC) and Doon University Forge Strategic
Partnership to Drive Innovation and
Commercialization
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 1:30PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step toward fostering research, innovation, and technology commercialization, the National
Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Doon University, Dehradun, today signed a Memorandum
of Agreement (MoA) at Raj Bhawan, Dehradun. The ceremony was graced by Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh,
Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, marking a milestone in academia-industry collaboration in the state.
Hon’ble Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh highlighted the alignment of this partnership with the national
vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, emphasizing its role in strengthening Uttarakhand’s innovation ecosystem. He
noted that this is NRDC’s first formal collaboration with a state university in Uttarakhand, setting a precedent
for future academic-industry partnerships.
“Universities must transcend traditional teaching roles and emerge as hubs of translational research and
innovation,” he remarked. “This partnership will not only protect intellectual properties of the University but
also transform research into tangible economic value, benefiting students, faculty, and the state at large.”
Cmde Amit Rastogi (Retd.), CMD, NRDC, reaffirmed NRDC’s commitment to supporting Doon University
in patent filings, technology transfer, and commercialization. “Our collaboration will bridge the gap between
academia and industry, enabling researchers to convert innovations into market-ready solutions while
nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among students and faculty,” he stated.
Prof. Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor, Doon University, outlined the university’s strategic shift toward IP-
driven research across its science and design disciplines. “Our Schools of Environment & Natural Resources,
Design, and key science departments are actively engaged in cutting-edge research. Partnering with NRDC
will amplify our ability to secure patents, trademarks, and commercialize technologies,” she said. The
university’s advanced research facilities and strong publication record position it as a key contributor to
Uttarakhand’s knowledge economy.
The event witnessed the presence of: Shri Ravinath Raman, IAS (Secretary to Hon’ble Governor); Smt. Reena
Joshi, IAS (Additional Secretary to Hon’ble Governor); Mr. N.G. Lakshminarayan (DGM, NRDC); Dr. Arun
Kumar (Director, Research & Development Cell, Doon University); Smt. Smriti Khanduri (Finance
Controller, Doon University); Shri Durgesh Dimri (Registrar, Doon University); and the Deans, faculty
members, research scholars, and representatives from the print and electronic media.
This collaboration paves the way for enhanced R&D outcomes, startup creation, and industry-academia
synergy, contributing to Uttarakhand’s economic and technological advancement. It also opens doors for other
state universities to explore similar partnerships, reinforcing the state’s position as an emerging innovation
hub.
About NRDC: A premier organization under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India,
NRDC facilitates the commercialization of technologies and IPR management.
About Doon University: A leading state university focused on interdisciplinary research, known for its
excellence in environmental sciences, technology, and design.*****
NKR/PSM/AV
(Release ID: 2150609)