In a remarkable convergence of Arctic innovation and Indian leadership, Prof. Krishna Agarwal—Founder & CEO of Spermotile and Professor at UiT The Arctic University of Norway—presented her award-winning medtech advancements to a visiting delegation of young Members of Parliament from India. The interactive session was part of a knowledge-exchange programme organised by ProTromsø, designed to build stronger scientific and technological ties between the two nations.
The five-member delegation included Mr Anup Sanjay Dhotre, Mr Putta Mahesh Kumar, Mr Sirgapoor Niranjan Reddy, Mr Gowaal Kagada Padavi, and Ms Priya Saroj, the youngest MP in India at just 26. Representatives from UN Women and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi were also present, underscoring the significance of the bilateral engagement.
Showcasing Arctic Excellence in Healthcare Innovation
Prof. Agarwal offered the delegation an in-depth look at the medtech ecosystem thriving at UiT, one of the world’s northernmost universities. Her presentation centred on Spermotile, the groundbreaking fertility-tech device she founded, which uses AI-driven motion analytics and microfluidic engineering to enhance sperm selection during IVF/ICSI.
The technology, already recognised internationally for its clinical promise, captured the attention of the Indian MPs, who emphasised its potential to strengthen India’s booming assisted-reproduction sector.
From India and Singapore to the Arctic Circle: A Global Innovation Journey
The delegation also learned about Prof. Agarwal’s academic and scientific trajectory—from earning the prestigious Gold Medal at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad to completing her PhD at the National University of Singapore and pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Singapore-MIT Alliance. These experiences, she shared, shaped her approach to translational research, leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Now a leading innovation figure in northern Norway, she has secured more than €23 million in research funding and built a 20-member interdisciplinary research group focused on AI diagnostics, advanced optical imaging, and sustainable health technologies.
Strengthening India–Norway Research Partnerships
The visit formed an important step in deepening Indo-Norwegian cooperation in health innovation, education, gender equity, and sustainable development. The MPs engaged in discussions about potential collaborations between Indian institutions and UiT, particularly in medtech research and innovation-led student mobility.
Prof. Agarwal’s work, both as a scientist and entrepreneur, served as a compelling example of how international academic pathways can fuel breakthrough research with far-reaching societal impact.
As India continues to prioritize digital health, fertility science, and technology-led governance, exchanges like this are expected to accelerate joint innovation efforts. The Tromsø programme highlighted not only Norway’s strengths in human-centric innovation but also India’s growing interest in Arctic research and technological collaboration.