Punjab, October 03, 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar recently hosted the highly anticipated Industry LYNK 2025, an event dedicated to bridging academia, industry, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) for sustainable innovation. Under the theme “Aligning Horizons: Talent, Ideas, and Industry for a Smarter Future,” the gathering attracted over 600 participants, including students, faculty, and more than 20 eminent speakers from leading sectors. This landmark event underscored the role of academia-industry collaboration in advancing Viksit Bharat, skill development, and future-ready talent amid a growing emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Event Highlights and Key Addresses
The proceedings kicked off with opening remarks from Dr Pushpendra P. Singh, Dean (CAPS), IIT Ropar, who outlined the origins and vision of Industry LYNK. Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, delivered the inaugural address, stressing the pivotal need for academia-industry partnerships to drive sustainable growth and innovation in India.
A standout feature was the collaborative panel discussion with TheCSRUniverse.com, a premier platform for CSR, ESG, and sustainability insights. Moderated by Mr Abhishek Jha, Consulting Editor – Foreign Affairs at CSR Universe, the session delved into “Industry–Academia Synergy for Social and Sustainable Innovation.” Panellists, including CSR leaders from top organisations, shared actionable models for joint initiatives in community development, education, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
Panel Insights and Future Announcements
The distinguished panel included Mr Ramesh Venugopalsamy (CSR Head Skilling, Bajaj Auto Ltd.), Mr Victor Sundararaj (Associate Vice President – Education, Learning and Development, Infosys), Mr Aishwarya Mahajan (Managing Trustee & President, M3M Foundation), Mr Naveen Jha (Director, ISAP India), and Mr Anirudh Singh Rana (Founder, Smillets). Discussions highlighted how academia can scale CSR innovations, fostering inclusive progress and addressing global challenges, such as sustainable development.
Important announcements from the event included:
- Launch of Industry LYNK 2026: Prof. Rajeev Ahuja and the CAPS Team unveiled plans for the next edition, promising expanded collaborations.
- Commitment to CSR-Academia Ties: The CSRUniverse.com has pledged ongoing support for knowledge sharing in the sustainability and social sectors.
- Focus on Skill-Building: Emphasising partnerships to enhance education and livelihoods through innovative CSR models.
The event wrapped up with a vote of thanks by Dr Surya K. Sahdeo, Coordinator – Alumni & Placement, IIT Ropar, leaving attendees inspired for future synergies. Industry LYNK 2025 not only showcased IIT Ropar's leadership in sustainable innovation but also set a benchmark for CSR-driven academia-industry collaborations in India.
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