As India progresses towards technological advancement and innovation, six of its cities are poised to take a major lead. Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad are all set to be developed as City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters. Managed by the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA), this project prioritizes the connection between existing research setups, knowledge institutions, and various city or state industries.
Building Virtual Bridges: The Role of City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters
City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters aim to harness the existing knowledge and financial resources within a city or region by interconnecting independent entities. By utilizing a virtual platform to facilitate these connections, the plan is to optimize resource allocation and encourage partnership across various sectors.
These clusters are not just about optimising resources, but also creating avenues for industries to gain access to existing technology. Additionally, academic institutions and Research and Development facilities will be helped to commercialize their technology.
The Nodal Office Structure
Every city cluster will include a nodal office, overseen by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will be chosen by the stakeholders involved in the project. Furthermore, government officials such as municipal commissioners will actively participate in the city clusters.
The nodal offices will operate under the PSA’s office and will be funded by them for the first three years. As part of the sustainability plan, stakeholders will need to devise ways to maintain the initiative independently from government funding.
International Ambitions
The long-term goal of these clusters extends beyond national borders. Over time, it is anticipated that city clusters will bid for international projects and seek funding from global organisations like the World Bank.
To strengthen the collaboration on research and facilities, the government plans to establish I-Stemm, a nationwide inventory web portal of all public-funded institutions, scientific instruments, and infrastructure.
| City | Nodal Office Head | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Bhubaneswar | To be determined by stakeholders | Technology, Research, and Development |
| Chandigarh | To be determined by stakeholders | Innovation and Research |
| Jodhpur | To be determined by stakeholders | Knowledge and Industrial Partnership |
| Pune | To be determined by stakeholders | Academic Institutions Collaboration |
| Ahmedabad | To be determined by stakeholders | Industrial Innovation |
| Hyderabad | To be determined by stakeholders | Technology and Research |
The Chandigarh Model: A Success Story
It should be noted that Chandigarh has already trialed a version of this project called the Chandigarh Region Innovation Knowledge Cluster (CRIKC). In this model, laboratories within the city were made accessible to Panjab University students. Given the success of the Chandigarh model, there are plans to replicate it across the state.