Leading a step forward to establish theme based Innovation Institutes, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Industry players reached on a platform to discuss on setting up of institutes which would do research and development in its area of specialization, enter into a twining and collaborative programme with other universities / institutes  and research organizations.

In this connection, the MHRD along with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had organized a two-day conference. It was inaugurated by Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal. The minister informed that these proposed institutes should be different from regular degree providing institutes and should admit trained people across discipline to do research and innovation leading to the award of Ph.D degree in specific sectors.

These innovation institutes will be fully autonomous, independent and will focus entirely on research and innovation. Respective Ministries will only play the role of facilitators and the industry partner shall set up the institutes and run them.

In the two day conference members of ministries and associated industries from Communications & Information Technology, Information and Broadcasting, Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises, Textiles, Petroleum & Natural Gas, New Renewable Energy, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Road Transport & Highways, Urban Development, Water Resources, Mines, Coal, Environment & Forests, Tourism, Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Chemicals & Fertilizers, Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, have taken part.