HS Foundation, Blockchain For Impact Hold IIT Delhi Programme to Boost Research and Innovation in UP Colleges
New Delhi, January 2, 2026 – HS Foundation, in collaboration with Blockchain For Impact (BFI), has launched a three-day research and innovation capacity-building programme at the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi. The initiative aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems in tier-2 and tier-3 districts, particularly across Uttar Pradesh.
Programme Overview
The programme brought together 63 faculty members from 35 educational institutions, representing 25 tier-2 and tier-3 districts. Participants hailed from a diverse range of academic backgrounds, including:
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Ayurveda
- Veterinary Sciences
- Law
- Management
Institutions from cities such as Lucknow, Meerut, Mathura, Moradabad, Saharanpur, and Bulandshahr participated in the programme, along with colleges from the Delhi-NCR region.
Impact on Students
According to the organisers, the initiative is expected to indirectly impact over 135,000 graduate and postgraduate students through the trained faculty members. Instead of focusing on short-term student interventions, the programme emphasized institution-level research and incubation capacity building, positioning faculty as long-term drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.
Faculty-Led Incubation Focus
The central objective of the initiative was to enable participating colleges to establish functional incubation cells within their institutions. Faculty members were trained to:
- Identify real-world problems
- Translate academic research into practical and scalable solutions
- Mentor students interested in innovation-led entrepreneurship
Structured Approaches and Practical Sessions
Hosted within IIT Delhi’s innovation and technology-transfer ecosystem, the programme introduced participants to structured approaches covering:
- Problem identification
- Faculty-led entrepreneurship models
- Funding and incubation pathways
- Intellectual property management
- Technology transfer mechanisms
These sessions were complemented by hands-on exercises, group discussions, and pitching workshops, allowing faculty members to apply concepts in practical settings.
Continued Support from IIT Delhi
As part of the initiative, FITT–IIT Delhi committed to providing continued mentorship and guidance to participating institutions to support the operationalisation of incubation cells and early-stage innovation projects on their campuses.
“Innovation in India must move beyond a few urban centres,” said Ashish Dhar Dwivedi, Managing Trustee of HS Foundation. He emphasized the importance of empowering faculty across disciplines and regions to build sustainable research and entrepreneurship ecosystems in Uttar Pradesh.
Nikhil Agarwal, Director of FITT–IIT Delhi, stated that faculty-driven innovation is critical for long-term research translation. He added that IIT Delhi would continue to support regional institutions in building credible incubation and innovation capabilities.
A Replicable Model for Other States
The organisers believe that the programme serves as a replicable model for expanding research, innovation, and entrepreneurship capacity across states, particularly outside major metropolitan hubs.
Conclusion
This initiative by HS Foundation and Blockchain For Impact highlights the importance of enhancing research and innovation capabilities in educational institutions located in tier-2 and tier-3 districts. By focusing on faculty development and incubation, the programme aims to create a sustainable impact that extends beyond immediate educational outcomes.
Note: This article is based on a press note issued by Blockchain for Impact (BFI).
