Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary, Science Engineering Research Board (SERB) and Senior Advisor, Department of Science and Technology (DST), highlighted the need for an an open science policy implemented by creating a dynamic landscape through the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy and said that this could play a pivotal role in keeping pace with the global shift from a closed to an open world, at CSIR NIScPR.

Dr. Gupta also highlighted the significance of developing the National STI Observatory as a central repository for all kinds of data related to and generated from the STI ecosystem, as suggested in the STI policy as also the India Science and Technology Archive, while speaking as the Chief Guest at the CSIR NIScPR's One Week One Lab program (OWOL), on September 15, 2023.

He discussed about the process of involving a wide range of scientists, researchers as well as other stakeholders in the drafting of the STI policy to make it inclusive.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between DST and CSIR-NIScPR, focusing on the National Knowledge Resource Consortium (NKRC). A report covering 21 years of NKRC and two special journals-- the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IJBB) and the Indian Journal of Engineering and Materials Sciences (IJEMS) were launched at the event.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, and Dr. Suman Kumari Mishra, Director, CSIR-CGCRI CSIR NIScPR's along with DST and CSIR officials participated in the One Week One Lab program (OWOL).  The event also featured a knowledge showcase with exhibits from various publishers.

The idea behind OWOL is to foster integration within the scientific community and bridge the gap with the larger society. OWOL enables research labs to connect with society and demonstrate that their work serves the greater public good.