By Tanmay Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Roorkee, April 24, 2026: Reinforcing its commitment to innovation-driven, sustainable development and industry collaboration, IIT Roorkee, through its Department of Design and SANCHAY—National Craft-Based Resource Centre, organized a workshop on “Design Interventions in Wood and Plastic Products” at its Saharanpur Campus in collaboration with Laghu Udyog Bharti (LUB) Uttar Pradesh.
The workshop brought together industry leaders, academicians, and design experts to deliberate on product diversification, sustainable materials, and innovative design solutions, particularly in the domains of wood, handicrafts, and polymer-based products.
Strong industry-academia participation in IIT Roorkee:
The event was inaugurated by key representatives from LUB, including Anupam Gupta, Ankit Goyal, Rajesh Jain, Sudhakar Agarwal, Varun Agarwal, and Rajesh Gupta, alongside IIT Roorkee faculty members such as Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma (Head, Department of Design), Prof. Inderdeep Singh (Dean of Infrastructure), Prof. Smriti Saraswat (Coordinators, SANCHAY), and Prof. Sanjay Palsule.
The inauguration ceremony featured the traditional lighting of the lamp and rendition of the Institute Kul-Geet.
Focus on innovation, research & collaboration:
Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma outlined the department’s academic ecosystem, highlighting its B.Des., M.Des., and Ph.D. programs, along with ongoing initiatives in research and industrial consultancy.
He emphasized the need for deeper industry engagement and encouraged collaboration through projects and internships.
Prof. Inderdeep Singh elaborated on the institute’s contributions under the Ministry of MSME, stressing the potential of structured collaboration with LUB to support innovation and industrial growth.
Prof. Smriti Saraswat showcased work on product diversification and sustainable livelihoods, focusing on wood, handicrafts, and polymer-based applications.
Meanwhile, Prof. Sanjay Palsule presented advancements in sustainable plastic composite technologies, including the innovative “Palsule Process.”
Highlighting the broader vision, IIT Roorkee Director Kamal Kishore Pant stated that such initiatives play a crucial role in transforming knowledge into impactful solutions, strengthening local industries, and advancing the vision of self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
As part of an MoU between IIT Roorkee and LUB, both institutions outlined a roadmap for the commercialization of wood, handicraft, and plastic-based products, aiming to enhance scalability and market relevance.
Eminent industrialists, including Mayank Agarwal, Rajiv Chanana, Adesh Bindal, Som Goyal, and Shroya Jain, shared practical insights, while around 40 MSME representatives participated in discussions on innovation and sustainability.
Student innovation & interdisciplinary learning:
Students from IIT Roorkee—including postgraduate and doctoral scholars from Design, Architecture, and Polymer Science—presented projects and prototypes, reflecting the institute’s emphasis on interdisciplinary and applied research.
The initiative aligns closely with national priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and MSME-led growth, while also contributing to global sustainability frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly in responsible consumption, sustainable industrialization, and livelihood generation.
By integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern design and material innovation, the collaboration aims to create solutions that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially impactful.
Beyond institutional collaboration, such initiatives directly benefit society by promoting affordable, high-quality products, supporting artisans and small industries, and generating employment.
Through this workshop, the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee continues to strengthen the bridge between grassroots manufacturing and cutting-edge design, contributing to inclusive growth and a sustainable future.
Also Read: IIT Roorkee sets up advanced R&D facility for next-gen hydro technologies.
EOM.
