NITI Aayog Hosts National Workshop On Strengthening State S&T Councils

New Delhi, Mar 19 (KNN) NITI Aayog organised a national workshop today focused on enhancing India's research and development ecosystem through empowered state-level science and technology councils.

The workshop, titled ‘Empowering State S&T Councils: Catalysing Innovation for India's Future,’ brought together key stakeholders to address challenges and identify collaborative approaches for strengthening these crucial institutions.

The high-profile event was attended by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, and S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, among other dignitaries from various scientific departments. Representatives from more than 25 states and union territories participated in the deliberations.

State Science and Technology Councils serve as vital bridges between scientific innovation and socio-economic development at the regional level.

Despite their significant contributions in research and development, patent facilitation, and technology transfer, these councils face persistent challenges that limit their transformative potential.

The workshop aimed to identify strategic solutions to strengthen these institutions and amplify their impact across the nation.

Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on the current status of State S&T councils, examining their governance frameworks, operational efficiencies, and resource allocation models.

The workshop highlighted successful initiatives from various states as exemplary practices worth replicating. Additionally, the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms was emphasised throughout the sessions.

The workshop established the foundation for developing a ‘Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils,’ which will provide a comprehensive framework for enhancing policy support, improving governance structures, and facilitating stronger industry-research linkages.

This strategic document will guide actionable recommendations for sustainable funding mechanisms, infrastructure development, and enhanced collaborations between state councils, research institutions, universities, and the private sector.

(KNN Bureau)