DHI Fraunhofer Framework MoU A framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed today between the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI), Govt. of India and Fraunhofer, Germany with later as Technology Resource Partner. The MoU was signed in the presence of Secretary, Department of Heavy Ministry Dr. R. Katoch here in New Delhi. Senior Officers from Ministry of Heavy Industry and representatives from Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) were also present during the signing of MoU. The objective is to support and augment the Make in India Programme through increasing the innovation and technology prowess of Indian industry. The activities include creating a road-map for technological development for Indian industry, identifying and plugging technology gaps. Implementation identified projects in manufacturing, working with various stakeholders in Government, Industry & academia for increasing cooperation in applied research. The MoU signed will now be exchanged by EAM with her German counterpart before the two Heads of States later in the day in a meeting scheduled at Hyderabad House, New Delhi. It may be recalled that Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft is the leading organization for applied research in Europe. Its research activities are conducted by 66 institutes and research units at locations throughout Germany. The Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft employs a staff of nearly 24,000, who work with an annual research budget totalling more than 2 billion Euros. Of this sum, around 1.7 billion Euros is generated through contract research. More than 70 percent of the Fraunhofer- Gesellschafts contract research revenue is derived from contracts with industry and from publicly financed research projects. The 12th Five Year Plan calls for augmenting Indian Industrial Technologies development at institutes through collaborations with Fraunhofer and like institutions. The MoU is also a strong indication of German support to Indian economy. This will pay way for induction of latest technologies in capital goods sector. SME in industrial clusters will be the main beneficiaries. DHI will actively conduct technology need surveys with units and clusters and run a number of awareness, technology development and assimilation programmes with the help of Fraunhofer.
