CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) on Monday, 11 May transformed National Technology Day into a major industry-research interface at its campus in Thiruvananthapuram, hosting a day-long technofest and customer meet that brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, industrialists, startups, and technology partners. The event underscored a growing institutional push to move publicly funded research out of laboratories and into real-world commercial applications.

What the Technofest Showcased

The programme featured interactive sessions, technology demonstrations, and presentations by scientists from multiple divisions of CSIR-NIIST. Research on display spanned carbon capture, sustainable packaging, specialty chemicals, biotechnology, and digital analytical technologies. Industry partners and customers who have collaborated with the institute on technology-driven projects were felicitated during the event.

Representatives from partner industries described how the institute's scientific expertise had helped improve product quality, optimise industrial processes, and support innovation-led growth — offering a rare public accounting of how translational research delivers commercial returns.

What the CSIR-NIIST Director Said

CSIR-NIIST Director Dr C. Anandharamakrishnan presided over the function and said that National Technology Day was not merely a celebration of India's scientific achievements but also a reaffirmation of research institutions' responsibility towards nation-building through impactful technologies. He noted that the institute has been actively pursuing application-oriented research in sustainable materials, nutraceuticals, food technologies, biotechnology, environmental sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and circular economy solutions. According to him, the Technofest reflected the institute's increasing emphasis on technology transfer, startup incubation, and stronger engagement with industry partners.

Keynote: India's Future in Semiconductors, AI, and Green Hydrogen

The keynote address was delivered by T. G. Sitharam, former Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Distinguished Professor at the Indian Institute of Science. Stressing the role of science and innovation in shaping a Viksit Bharat 2047, Sitharam said India's future growth would depend heavily on emerging sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and green hydrogen.

He called for the creation of AI-ready campuses and urged students and young innovators to combine technological excellence with ethics and inclusiveness. In a notable observation, he pointed out that several global industry leaders had emerged from ordinary engineering colleges, arguing that innovation and dedication mattered more than institutional prestige.

Prominent Attendees and Broader Significance

Prof. Lakshmi Kantam, former Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) and Distinguished Professor at ICT, praised CSIR-NIIST's contributions across multiple research domains. Dr Beena Pillai, Director of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, was also present. The event drew participation from stakeholders across academia, industry, startups, and research organisations, making it one of the institute's most extensive outreach initiatives in recent years.

This comes amid a broader national push to raise India's research commercialisation rate, which has historically lagged peer economies despite a large scientific workforce. The message from CSIR-NIIST was pointed: the future of Indian science lies not in research papers alone, but in converting knowledge into technologies that generate both societal and economic impact. The institute is expected to deepen its industry partnerships and startup incubation activities in the months ahead.