NIT-K hosts Coastal Conclave to build integrated hub of R&D, entrepreneurship

The Coastal Conclave of local industries and institutes, hosted by the National Institute of Technology – Karnataka (NIT-K) on its campus on November 29, resolved to build an integrated hub of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the institute.

The conclave was an initiative of NIT-K to bring local institutes, industries, and communities together on a common platform.

About 30 CEOs and representatives of various organisations in Mangaluru, Udupi, and surrounding areas participated in the conclave, a NIT-K release said on December 2.

The participants were from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, KIOCL, Paradeep Phosphates (erstwhile MCF), M11 Energy Transitions – Padubidri, Confederation of Indian Industry, Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, State Bank of India, Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India, District Industries Centre, College of Fisheries, eSamudaay of Udupi, Malpe Meen of Udupi, Agriculture University of Shivamogga, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute – Vitla, cashew processing units, and fish meal processing units.

The focus of the discussion was on how to build the coastal ecosystem and economy driven by technology while preserving the nature and culture of the region and aligning with the relevant national missions, such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and Sagarmala, the release stated.

Speaking on the occasion, B. Ravi, director of NIT-K, proposed offering the institute’s facilities and expertise to local R&D labs, business incubators, startups, MSMEs, corporates, public departments, and industry associations to enhance the research, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the coastal Karnataka region.

The conclave was organised by Science & Technology Entrepreneurs’ Park (STEP), headed by Subray Hegde, and the Institute Innovation Council (IIC), headed by K. Suprabha.