Two important facilities at two autonomous institutions of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) were inaugurated on July 8 2024 at Bangalore ---The Innovation Development Centre (IDC) of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and the ‘Hemavathi’ hostel for the students pursuing PhD at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS).
“This kind of facility coupled with DST's policy on Deep Tech Startups, may provide significant support to the country’s startups to take up projects in critical and emerging areas of science.” DST Secretary Professor Abhay Karandikar said while inaugurating IDC.
The IDC will host laboratories to take inventions forward for scale-up and technology transfer. Initiatives like the IDC and upcoming policies supporting deep tech startups underscore DST’s commitment to nurturing a robust innovation eco- system. On the other hand, the fully furnished Hemavathi hostel with state-of-the-art facilities like gym, recreation, badminton court, pantry will accommodate 48 students.
Prof. Karandikar also emphasized that JNCASR's Innovation & Development Centre may become a key facilitator in supporting startups and R&D from private sectors. This will further strengthen the bond between academia and industry collaborations.
“I am happy that JNCASR is setting up the IDC in Shivanapura Campus. It is great news and a significant step forward. With new laboratories and state-of-the-art processing and prototyping tools, it will undoubtedly enhance technology transfers, support startups, and foster innovation. With this initiative, we align very well with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Missions of Govt. of India,” opined Bharat Ratna, Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, Linus Pauling Research Professor, Honorary President, JNCASR.
Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Chairperson, Council of Management, JNCASR emphasized that the Autonomous Institutions of DST may play a significant role in producing quality scientific manpower for the country, which may be achieved by scaling up the number of faculty, students and R&D personnel. This may also enable the institutions to implement the National Education Policy effectively.
Prof. K.N. Ganesh, Chairperson, Governing Council CeNS, said that a robust workforce of both scientific as well as administrative, is very much necessary for the institute’s growth and expansion over the next five years to maintain the competitive edge in nanomaterials sciences.
Prof. B.L.V. Prasad, Director, CeNS, and Prof. G.U. Kulkarni, President, JNCASR, Dr. M Mohanty, Head AI Division DST, other faculty members and students also attended the event.
The event began with welcome remarks by Prof. G.U. Kulkarni, President, JNCASR and concluded with Word of Thanks by Prof. B.L.V. Prasad, Director, CeNS, Bengaluru.
On this occasion, Tech Translation - a Poster Exhibition & Interaction with Industry was also held at IDC.
Inauguration of Hemavathi Hostel, CeNS by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to Govt. of India, Department of Science & Technology, in the august presence of officials of DST, CeNS, JNCASR and Directors of DST Autonomous Institutions and various scientists from research institutions from Bengaluru
Inauguration of Innovation & Development Centre, JNCASR by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to Govt. of India, Department of Science & Technology, in the august presence of officials of DST, CeNS, JNCASR and Directors of DST Autonomous Institutions and various scientists from research institutions from Bengaluru.
