Puducherry: The Department of Chemistry, Pondicherry University, in association with the Department of Drugs Control and the Directorate of AYUSH, Government of Puducherry, organised a one-day workshop on “Opportunities and Challenges in Academia-Industry Relationship” on October 17.

The event followed the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pondicherry University, the Directorate of AYUSH, and the Department of Drugs Control, aimed at strengthening collaborations between academia and industry.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. Prakash Babu delivered the Presidential Address, while Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, delivered the Inaugural Address. Dr. R. Sridharan, Senior Chief Medical Officer, Directorate of AYUSH, Puducherry, delivered a Special Address.

Prof. C. Sivasankar, Head of the Department of Chemistry, welcomed the gathering. Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu, Director of Studies, and Prof. Sibnath Deb, Dean, spoke on the significance of academic-industrial partnerships. About 40 experts from the pharmaceutical sector and Pondicherry University presented lectures and shared insights during the workshop.

The workshop concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Jeyakumar Kandasamy. Delegates from both academia and the pharmaceutical industry participated actively in the discussions, identifying key challenges and strategies for sustainable collaboration.

The event was sponsored by the Siddha Unani Homeopathy Ayurveda Manufacturers Association (SUHA) and the Pondicherry Drug Manufacturers Association (PDMA), Puducherry.