Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (KNN) To upgrade the scientific, technological and innovation infrastructure in the state, the Odisha government has joined hands with Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) Foundation.

The primary aim of this partnership is to develop a network for knowledge sharing to create impact of science and technology, mainly in education, health, hygiene and sanitation.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Science and Technology Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Wednesday.

Speaking about the collaboration, Panda said that this initiative will help accomplish the ‘Science to Society vision’ of the department in strengthening the scientific capability of the state and the department will be encouraged to enrich science education, research, innovation and communication in the state.

Under this agreement, BCKIC will be an implementation partner for executing some of the initiatives of the department, such as formulation of science, technology and innovation policy of the state, promotion of innovation and IP culture and technology transfer activities in the state.

Both the parties through this initiative will focus on training and capacity building, industry-academia collaborative activities, while setting up of innovation hubs and experiential learning labs at the school level to build scientific temperament will get priority.

Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology department, said “there is a need to strengthen the science and technology eco-system by increasing interaction of the academic and research institutions of the State with each other as well as with external stake holders, such as industry, philanthropic organisations and entrepreneurs.”

During his address at the MoU signing ceremony, the Science and Technology Minister also stressed upon the need to develop the Bio-technology sector in the state.  (KNN Bureau)