Hyderabad, February 21st, 2019: The prestigious two day 'Global Research & Development Summit 2019', being hosted by FICCI in partnership with Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, began on Thursday at the Hotel Marriot, Hyderabad. Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India; inaugurated the Summit and delivered the theme address. Also present on the occasion were Guests of Honour Hon'ble Nkandu Luo, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Zambia; Dr Eugene Mutimura, Minister of Education, Science & Technology and Scientific Research, Govt, of Rwanada; Hon'ble Engineer Getahun Mekuria, Minister of Science & Technology, Govt, of the Republic of Ethiopia; Shri S. K. Varshney, Head- International Cooperation (Bilateral), Dept, of S & T, Govt, of India; Prof. T. Papi Reddy, Chairman, TSCHE; Ms Sangita Reddy, Sr. VP, FICCI & Jt. MD, Apollo Hospitals & Dr Makarand Phadke, Chairman, FICCI National Committee on S&T/Innovation & Sr. VP- Innovations, Reliance Industries Ltd. A India-Ethiopia Innovation, Technology Transfer & Commercialization Programme, was formally launched on the occasion.
The Summit is a significant annual initiative of the FICCI with the core objective of promoting R and D in the field of Science and Technology. It is hosted in a different city every year and this year's venue is Hyderabad. Each year the partner country at the Summit varies, and this year's Partner Countries are the Nations from the African Continent. The Focus sectors of this year's Summit are Agriculture, Health Care, Food Processing and Clean Energy. The Focus sectors are determined on the basis of the Sectors, Partner Countries evince interest in. Large delegations comprising of Ministers and senior officials of Ethopia, Rwanda and Zambia, along with delegates from other African counties are attending the Summit.
Some of the topics being deliberated at the Summit during the next two days include, State of R&D in India and bilateral opportunities; Disrupting Industry through Product Innovation; Problems & Challenges for Commercialization of R&D Products & Processes-Innovative Approaches; Transforming the dialogue between commercial and R&D groups- Focus on Risk Management and Contribution of Women in Research & Development. Concurrent with the conference, a Technology Expo is being hosted to showcase major achievements and capabilities of leading R&D-focused organizations from Industry, Government and Academia. The Valedictory on February 22nd, 2019, will have Chief Guest Dr Harsh Vardhan, Hon'ble Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India; delivering the keynote address.
The Summit is in line with the vision of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to share our science, technology and innovation with Africa for shared prosperity. FICCI helped nurture and build deep grassroots connect with hundreds of top researchers/entrepreneurs across Africa who now understand technology innovation and commercialization. This has established a good working relationship with more than 45 African countries.
