Prof Abhay wants industry as a major collaborator in advanced research work
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is mulling over some major programmes in areas such as precision agriculture, indigenous biomedical devices, semiconductors, intelligent transportation, hydrogen energy and research in automobile sector among others.
“We need to initiate consolidation of existing programmes and start big ticket projects that can create impact at the national level,” DST Secretary Professor Abhay Karandikar said following interaction with DST scientists.
“We may start some major programmes in areas such as precision agriculture, indigenous biomedical devices, semiconductor, intelligent transportation, hydrogen energy, research in automobile sector and so on,” he said during the meeting coordinated by Department of Science & Technology Scientific Officer Forum.
Apart from the above listed programmes, there are several disruptive programmes such as creation of incubation centres, National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), international bilateral programme centers and several programmes of Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), he told the scientists on 4 Jan 2024.
He added that these programmes may be initiated by bringing in industry as a major collaborator.
Prof. Karandikar pointed out that with the formation of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), DST’s role will become bigger. DST will then focus on developing flagship national importance programmes and policies.
“It will initiate some big basic science programmes oriented towards discovery science,” said Prof. Karandikar, also highlighting the need to improve the ease of doing research by simplifying financial rules and regulations.
The Secretary called for brainstorming sessions to further dwell upon such plans and prepare a work program on some of key areas.
He underlined the need to reposition DST in changing times when there are huge expectations from it to make science and technology the fulcrum of development of the country. Fiinews.com
