The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has dedicated an expenditure of Rs 1,200 crore to support academic research in defence, according to DRDO chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy.
He virtually delivered the keynote address at the DRDO Townhall for Ahmedabad Design Week 3.0 by Karnavati University in Uvarsad, Gandhinagar.
DRDO is working with at least 300 institutions for its academic research programme, and 1,200 scholars are associated with it. The fund has been kept aside to support these programmes, including Gujarat University. Gujarat University had recently inked an MoU with DRDO to set up a centre of excellence for defence research.
DRDO has started a skill development programme. For example, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved an MTech course in defence technology. In addition, at least 40 academic institutions have started postgraduate courses in the defence sector this year.
The DRDO Chief said that there was a lot of scope for youngsters to work on innovative products in the sector. Many students, startups and those connected with industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), are associated with the department of defence Research & Development (R&D) and mentioned that if they are given proper funding, they provide excellent results for the ideas.
Dr Reddy also stated that India must focus on becoming self-reliant in the defence sector. He also said that we should not only make products in India but also make them for the world.
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