NITI Aayog Conducts Workshop to Enhance Science and Technology Councils
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Synopsis
The NITI Aayog organized a workshop aimed at enhancing India's science and technology sector, focusing on strengthening state S&T councils to drive innovation and socio-economic growth.
Key Takeaways
- Workshop aimed at enhancing India’s S&T sector.
- Focus on empowering state S&T councils.
- Identification of challenges faced by councils.
- Development of a roadmap for better governance and funding.
- Emphasis on collaboration between industry and research.
New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) The NITI Aayog conducted a specialized workshop on Tuesday aimed at enhancing India's science and technology (S&T) sector.
The event, entitled ‘Empowering State S&T Councils: Catalysing Innovation for India’s Future’, attracted participation from prominent government officials, policymakers, and industry experts.
State S&T Councils are vital for advancing research, innovation, and technology transfer at the regional level. Nonetheless, these councils often encounter obstacles in governance, funding, and collaboration, which restrict their full efficacy.
The workshop sought to pinpoint strategies to fortify these councils and amplify their influence on India’s advancement.
During the gathering, participants examined the current status of these councils, their operational hurdles, and avenues for boosting efficiency.
They exchanged best practices from various states to showcase successful models. The necessity for improved monitoring and evaluation systems was also highlighted.
A significant outcome of the workshop was the formulation of a Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils.
This roadmap will concentrate on policy support, enhanced governance, and increased collaboration between industry and research institutions.
It will also incorporate suggestions for sustainable funding, improved infrastructure, and partnerships among state councils, universities, and the private sector.
According to a statement, the discussions at the workshop are anticipated to foster a more effective and well-supported S&T ecosystem in India, ultimately propelling innovation and socio-economic development.
Earlier that week, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, underscored the necessity to enhance India’s research and development (R&D) capabilities and industrial framework to prepare for future pandemics.
Addressing a discussion on NITI Aayog’s report concerning future pandemic preparedness, he emphasized India’s strategy to establish medical countermeasures within 100 days of any prospective outbreak.
“India’s robust R&D capabilities and industrial ecosystem will be further fortified to effectively respond to any future pandemic,” Singh stated.
“India’s inter-sectoral One Health Mission has already overhauled the pandemic surveillance systems for potential outbreaks,” he added.
