Policymakers, politicians must engage with academic community: Butail

The second edition of HIVE 2.0, hosted by IIT-Mandi's iHub and HCI Foundation, concluded with insightful discussions on translational research and the critical need for closer collaboration between academia and industry. The event, which began on January 31 brought together leading industry professionals, academicians, start-ups and government representatives to explore emerging innovations in human-computer interaction (HCI) and address the challenges faced by both the sectors.

On the second day of the event, Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor to Chief Minister (Innovation, Digital Technology, and Governance), was the chief guest. In his address, Butail stressed the importance of academia-industry collaboration in driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges.

Butail highlighted the role of events like HIVE 2.0 in fostering dialogue between academia and industry, stating, “It's important for policymakers and politicians to engage with the academic community, as we often work in separate silos. Such platforms help us understand cutting-edge research and align it with the needs of the industry.”

One of the key points raised by Butail was the growing skill gap in the workforce, which continues to persist despite numerous government initiatives like skill development programmes and missions. He pointed out that although the education system is producing a large number of graduates, the mismatch between the skills required by industries and those possessed by the graduates is a significant challenge.

“The industry is facing a serious issue. We have many unemployed people, yet finding qualified professionals for the jobs is difficult. We need to bridge this skill gap, and even though the Government of India and state government have been running skill development programmes for years, much more work remains,” said Butail.

The HIVE 2.0 conclave featured an impressive line-up of presentations, discussions and workshops, showcasing the potential of industry-academia collaborations in driving technological advancements. Butail expressed his enthusiasm for the continued dialogue and collaboration between the research and industrial sectors.