Faridabad: The Erasmus+
Programme-supported NSIS (Developing Information, Research, and Digital Skills
for Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship) project, co-funded by the
European Union, will introduce a 10-module training programme on
digital research, data skills, research commercialisation and entrepreneurship for
universities across India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The initiative and
its key outcomes were highlighted during National Awareness Day 2026 organised
under the NSIS project and hosted at Manav
Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS), in collaboration with MIT World Peace University, Pune, and
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.
The event brought together international
academic leaders, researchers and policy stakeholders from South Asia and
Europe to discuss strategies for strengthening digital research
capabilities, innovation support systems and university-led
entrepreneurship across the region. The discussions focused on
building stronger research ecosystems within universities and equipping higher
education institutions with the digital and information
skills required to support innovation-driven economic growth and
research.
This can be achieved by technology
transfer, research commercialisation and entrepreneurship development.
Through collaboration between European and South Asian partner institutions,
the initiative promotes knowledge exchange, joint
research initiatives and the adoption of global best practices in
innovation management and research-driven entrepreneurship.
Dr. Padraig Kirby, Project Lead and
Erasmus+ Coordinator for the NSIS project, said, “The NSIS project aims to develop
information, research and digital skills, with a particular focus on
strengthening the role of libraries and research and improving the
services and support that librarians provide for research, business and
entrepreneurship. One of the key outcomes of the
project will be the development of a 10-module curriculum covering areas such
as digital literacy, data skills, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), online
research publication, academic writing, and business and management. These modules will be made available
as training opportunities for universities across India,
Sri Lanka and Nepal, supported by an online platform that will allow
participants to access the courses and resources.”
Dr. Sarita Sachdeva, Erasmus Project
Lead and Dean Research at Manav Rachna International Institute
of Research and Studies, said, “We are living in an era defined by
rapid technological advancement, digital transformation and knowledge-driven
economies, where information access, research capabilities and digital skills
have become fundamental drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship. Through
the Erasmus+ NSIS project, we aim to strengthen research and academic
collaboration among partner institutions in India, Sri Lanka and
Nepal, enhance digital and information skills essential for modern research
environments, and support innovation, entrepreneurship and
knowledge-based economic growth across the region.”
Dr. Naresh Grover, Pro Vice-Chancellor
at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, highlighted the evolving role of
universities in enabling digitally connected research ecosystems, stating, “Digital
transformation in higher education is not merely about introducing new
technologies; it is about fundamentally redesigning how learning, research and
collaboration take place within universities. The shift towards
technology-enabled and globally connected learning environments is enabling institutions
to strengthen research, cultivate innovation and connect academic work with
real-world challenges. With the support of initiatives such as the National
Education Policy 2020 and the Digital India Mission, universities are increasingly leveraging artificial
intelligence, cloud computing and digital platforms to improve
research capabilities and make institutional decision-making
more data-driven.”
The event also included expert deliberations on
the role of digital transformation in strengthening innovation ecosystems
across South Asia. A panel discussion on “AI & Digital
Transformation for Developing Information and Research for Business, Innovation
and Entrepreneurship in South Asia” was moderated by Rajiv
Kapoor, Managing Director and CEO
of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions. Another panel on “Developing
Digital Skills in Education, Research and Libraries for Entrepreneurship in
South Asia” was moderated by Dr.
Monika Goel, Executive Director and Dean Academics
at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies.
The discussions explored strategies to
strengthen digital competencies within research institutions and
highlighted the role of universities in supporting innovation-driven
entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary research. At MRIIRS, Erasmus+
support has contributed to research collaborations in emerging technology
areas, capacity-building programmes for professionals including library staff,
and entrepreneurship development initiatives aimed at cultivating innovation
among students and researchers.
In the long term, the initiative is expected to
strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, promote startup culture
within universities, enhance collaboration between academia and industry, and
create sustainable frameworks for innovation-driven entrepreneurship and
technology development.