Mumbai / Faridabad, March 12, 2026: 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 today 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.
