India Pharma Outlook Team | Monday, 03 March 2025
Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, India's leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T). Both the entities have taken a path-breaking step in industry-academia partnerships, innovation, and skill development in the field of food processing and allied sciences.
With its diverse range of portfolio that includes pharmaceutical formulations, nutraceuticals, Ayush, herbals, Ayurvedic products, cosmetics, derma, API, etc., it has remained at the forefront in offering end-to-end solutions in healthcare and wellness. The MOU falls in line with the vision of Akums in enhancing research and development, incubating future minds, and assisting the growth of the industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Jain, Managing Director of Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, stated, “We are delighted to partner with NIFTEM-T in this collaborative effort to enhance research, innovation, and skill development in the food processing industry. This agreement underscores our commitment to fostering industry-academia partnerships, driving meaningful research, and preparing the next generation of professionals with practical knowledge and expertise.”
Through this collaboration, NIFTEM-T students will receive internship opportunities that enable them to experience industry practices first hand. The purpose of this project is to narrow the gap between theoretical understanding and industry demands and equip students with the required skills for careers in food technology and nutraceuticals-related fields.
Further, the collaboration between the faculty of NIFTEM-T will facilitate joint and integrated research projects. Prof. V. Palanimuthu, Director, NIFTEM-T added, “This MOU with Akums is a significant step toward providing our students with invaluable industry exposure and fostering collaborative research initiatives. By working together, we can contribute to the advancement of food technology, encourage entrepreneurship, and create impactful innovations that benefit both academia and industry.”
Along with internships, they will also work on research projects with particular goals aimed at novel nutraceutical products and process innovation. These research projects will allow both the institutions to use their expertise to create innovative solutions in food processing and technology. To foster academic excellence, it will also offer merit scholarships to top-scoring and meritorious students from NIFTEM-T. This program will assist in fostering and rewarding talent.
The collaboration will also further extend its assistance in supporting start-ups and their business growth, entrepreneurship promotion, and fostering innovative concepts in the sector. This is to help foster the ecosystem of start-up businesses in the food and health industry through the provision of advice, mentorship, and possible co-working opportunities. Their alliance represents a joint vision of developing food science, research, and skill acquisition. The collaboration is expected to spearhead innovation, stimulate knowledge exchange, and maybe even influence the future of the food processing industry, setting the stage for significant industry growth.
