Collaboration between industry and academia is crucial for fostering innovation, driving technological advancements, nurturing talent, and ultimately contributing to economic growth. Amidst the specific priorities and interests of industry and academia, the need to co-exist symbiotically for their growth and impact is essential. Though there have been successful partnerships over the last few years, the need for a deeper and more meaningful engagement between industry and academia is imperative to ensure optimal development and growth of both sectors.

One of the key priorities of Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) is to strengthen the “Industry – Academia” interface. The i2 Academia Square being organised in conjunction with IMTEX / IMTEX FORMING exhibitions at Bengaluru, is a flagship initiative to promote collaboration between industries and academia, develop transformative new technologies and understand each other’s contexts and challenges.

The i2 Academia Square aims to catalyse industry academia partnerships that facilitates academia and industry to work in sync, prepare industry ready workforce, reduce on-the-job training cost, and make students easily employable for the mutual benefit of industry and academia.