Sri City, February 8, 2025 – IFMR and Krea University hosted Synergy 2025, an annual flagship event designed to bring together leading academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to shape data-driven solutions for pressing developmental challenges. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, the event catalysed action to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthen governance mechanisms in India.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Krea University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Nirmala Rao, noted that “Synergy is a unique platform for the academic community to engage, debate, and critically analyse some of the most pressing issues in development, focusing on solutions and action.”
A key highlight of the event was the inaugural N Vaghul Memorial Lecture, honouring the legacy of the late Shri Narayanan Vaghul. Delivering the inaugural lecture, Mr S Krishnan, Secretary, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, highlighted the transformative impact of AI and the tectonic shifts in this space. He emphasized the role of foundational research and evidence in developing inclusive AI solutions rooted in the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
In line with the event’s focus on data-driven development, Synergy 2025 also marked a key milestone in strengthening government-academia collaboration. The Government of Meghalaya and IFMR signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance data systems, foster innovation, and drive efficient policy implementation. The agreement, signed by Dr Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Meghalaya and Mr Kapil Viswanathan, President, IFMR, builds on Meghalaya’s pioneering initiatives in data-driven governance and underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking.
The event also featured a keynote lecture by Dr Karthik Muralidharan, Tata Chancellor’s Professor of Economics, UC San Diego and a panel discussion on enhancing state capacity including dignitaries: Dr Sampath Kumar, Government of Meghalaya; Ms Arti Ahuja, Former Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment; Dr Veena Srinivasan, Executive Director, WELL Labs, Dr Karthik Muralidharan, and Ms Deepthi Reddy, Chief – Women Empowerment, Reliance Foundation.
Padma Shri Dr Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Founder & Former President, IIT Madras Research Park, delivered a special address that emphasised research and industry collaborations. Stressing the inherent risks involved in research, he underscored the need for mechanisms that encourage risk-taking, enabling breakthroughs that can redefine industries and improve lives.
A Unique Research Ecosystem Driving Change
The IFMR and Krea ecosystem is a hub for innovative thinking and action with a portfolio of eight interdisciplinary research centres: WELL Labs, LEAD at Krea University, JPAL South Asia, Centre for Digital Financial Inclusion (CDFI), Catalyst Atal Incubation Centre, Inclusion Economics India Centre, IWWAGE, and Sapien Labs Centre for the Human Brain and Mind, including partnerships with institutions such as Yale University, MIT, and policy entities such as NITI Aayog, Ministry of Rural Development, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, IFMR Graduate School of Business and the School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences.
The event featured an Ecosystem Showcase, where the research centres presented cutting-edge work across diverse themes, including financial inclusion, climate action, digital access, education, and public health. Faculty and students engaged with policymakers and thought leaders to explore solutions that can address India’s most pressing developmental challenges. The discussions set the stage for future collaborations, reinforcing the need for data-driven solutions and interdisciplinary approaches to tackle complex challenges.
Image Courtesy : Media Lab & Siddharth Ravikant