Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Health and Family Welfare underlined that the motto of the young scientists should be to Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper, and these four steps will lead our countries towards faster development at the inaugural address of the first-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Young Scientist Conclave.
“The broad aim of this conclave is to bring the brightest young minds on a common platform to harness their potential, address societal challenges using research and innovation,” he said at the conclave inaugurated through virtual mode on November 24, 2020.
The conclave hosted by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, will take place between 24-28th November 2020 at CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad on the theme “Shaping SCO-STI Partnership: Young Scientists Perspectives.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan called upon all the ignited minds from SCO member states to use science as a tool to improve the quality of life of the common man, which is the biggest challenge of this millennium. The current pandemic is a test, demonstrating that multilateral cooperation is the key to overcoming such global challenges. He said that India is looking forward to deepen the SCO collaboration in the field of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Mr. Vladimir Norov, Secretary-General, SCO, appreciated the efforts and role of India in promoting the S&T culture in the youth of SCO member states and emphasised on developing a roadmap for cooperation between research institutions of the SCO member States for 2021-2023 to intensify scientific and technical partnership in the SCO space in the joint search for solutions for common challenges.
Further, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary DST, emphasised that SCO member states has a huge demographic dividend and can emerge as the innovation and knowledge hub if SCO countries invest more on R & D and significantly raise the standards of research through collaboration. He informed that the enabling mechanism for joint multilateral research cooperation is under finalization stage. This would allow the networking of research scientists and research organizations through collaborative projects.
Mr. Vikas Swarup Secretary (WEST), Ministry of External Affairs, said that it is through Science & technology that we can effectively address issues like COVID- 19 pandemic Agriculture, Environment, Sustainable development, food, and water security and he added that the conclave this would pave the way for greater scientific and technological collaboration among SCO member countries.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Varshney, Head, International Cooperation Division, DST, thanked the Ministries of Science and Technology and External Affairs appreciated the committed involvement of SCO member states in promoting S&T. It was also attended by Dr. S Chandrasekhar Director CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad.
The conclave will be attended by more than 200 young scientists, professionals, and representatives from the SCO Member States. The five days event envisages detailed discussion and deliberations on contemporary developments and challenges among the young researchers in the areas, namely agriculture and food processing, Sustainable energy, and energy storage, Biotechnology, and bio-engineering, Combating Covid 19 and emerging pandemics through research and innovation, environmental protection and natural resource management. A detailed roadmap for networking and collaboration in these areas will be prepared with provisions for the exchange of young scientists across the SCO member states.
