Academia–Industry Meet 2026 on 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing

An Academia–Industry Meet under the Finishing School Program on 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Technology was held today at the 3D Printing Project Centre of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), West Bengal. The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata, in association with MAKAUT, West Bengal.

The meet focussed on strengthening academia–industry collaboration, promoting innovation and building advanced skills in the fast-growing field of Additive Manufacturing.

Leaders underline the strategic role of AM

The event opened with an inaugural session attended by Ms. Tulika Pandey, Scientist ‘G’ , and Group Coordinator (HRD), MeitY, Prof. Tapas Chakraborty, Vice-Chancellor, MAKAUT, West Bengal, Dr. P. M. Pandey, IHFC Chair and Professor (HAG), Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Delhi, Dr. Anindita Ganguly, Director of Technical Education, Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal; and Dr. Ch. A. S. Murty, Scientist ‘G’ and Centre Head, C-DAC Kolkata; and Prof. Tapas Chakraborty, Vice-Chancellor, MAKAUT, West Bengal.

Speakers underscored the role of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing in driving product innovation, supporting technology-led startups and creating an industry-ready workforce aligned with national technology and manufacturing priorities.

Sessions spotlight innovation, applications and skills

Session 1, titled “Innovation, Scalability and Industry Alignment in Additive Manufacturing”, examined emerging research trends, real-world use cases, human-centred product design and business aspects of Additive Manufacturing. Experts from leading academic institutions, healthcare organisations and industry highlighted how advanced manufacturing technologies are reshaping design, prototyping and production across sectors.

Participants also visited the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and attended live demonstrations, gaining first-hand exposure to 3D printing infrastructure, processes and applications.

Panel looks at startups, jobs and career pathways

Post lunch, a panel discussion on “Innovation to Industry: Startups, Skill Development & Career Pathways in Additive Manufacturing” brought together representatives from academia, industry, startups and research institutions. Panellists discussed the startup ecosystem in AM, the need for specialised skilling, emerging job roles and the roadmap for scaling Additive Manufacturing in India.

A key highlight of the meet was the exchange of Joint Statements of Intent with IDR Research and Development Pvt. Ltd., VFuse Metal 4 Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd., and the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, one of the country’s oldest and largest chambers of commerce. The statements reflect a shared commitment to collaborative research, training and technology development in Additive Manufacturing.