TRICHY: IIT-Madras faculty member Krishnan Balasubramanian on Monday inaugurated an innovation facilitation centre of the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy.
This centre has been set up at NIT Trichy to promote innovations towards commercialisation, drive technology transfer and mentor student and faculty startups.
Besides this, the centre will sensitise the academia about technologies that need to be developed and commercialised.
Krishnan said research and innovation activities should make an impact in the society. He was hopeful that this is just the beginning for many startups to evolve from NIT Trichy.

K Muthu Kumar, coordinator of NRDC-NIT Trichy, stressed on promoting activities of MSME sector like mentoring the technical expertise of Trichy fabrication clusters and boost fabrication of indigenous defence-related products in line with the requirements of Tamil Nadu defence corridor.

S Muthukumaran, dean (Research and Consultancy) NIT Trichy, said the centre would primarily start with a focus on solid waste management and green crackers. Webinars have also been planned.

NIT Trichy director Mini Shaji Thomas emphasised on the need for such an innovation facilitation centre. She said the shift has to be towards transferring knowledge in terms of product and technology.