In a historic step towards strengthening India’s scientific ecosystem, eight premier national institutions in Thiruvananthapuram came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for academic and research collaboration.
The event, hosted at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), marked the beginning of a robust framework for interdisciplinary partnerships, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr Kris Gopalakrishnan, President, SCTIMST; Shri Sunil Kumar, Head, Autonomous Institutions Division, DST, Directors and heads of all eight institutions participated in the ceremony.
The MoU aims to promote joint research projects, student and faculty exchanges, and innovation-driven programs. It also proposes a Young Researchers’ Platform to encourage budding scientists and foster cross-institutional learning.
Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Shri Sunil Kumar
President, SCTIMST, Secretary, DSTAddl Secretary & Head AI, Division, DST
Photo: Director General/ Vice Chancellor/ Directors of eight national institutions at the joint multi-institutional academic and research cooperation
initiative at SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram
The collaboration brings together Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB); Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER); National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS); Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI); CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST); Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST); Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).
Through this partnership, the institutes aim to develop convergent approaches for addressing society’s challenges, from healthcare to technology, agriculture to space, ensuring that the impact of research extends to real-world solutions.
The dignitaries emphasized that this initiative represents a milestone in building a collaborative scientific ecosystem in the country. By bringing together expertise across diverse disciplines, the MoU will not only advance academic and research partnerships but also fuel innovation aligned with India’s long-term goals in science, technology, and sustainable development.
