In a significant move to enhance India's Science and Technology (S&T) landscape, NITI Aayog today held a pivotal workshop titled “Empowering State S&T Councils: Catalyzing Innovation for India’s Future.” The event was graced by Dr VK Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and other dignitaries from the various scientific ministries and departments. Representatives from 25+ States/ UTs attended the workshop. It brought together government leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to address critical challenges in the nation’s state S&T councils.

State S&T Councils play a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific innovation and socio-economic development at the regional level. Despite their significant contributions in areas like R&D, patent facilitation, and technology transfer, these councils continue to face challenges that hinder their transformative potential. The workshop aimed to identify strategic solutions to strengthen these councils and amplify their impact.

During the workshop the participants engaged in comprehensive deliberations on the current status of State S&T councils, examining their governance frameworks, operational efficiencies and resource allocation. Best Practices from various states were highlighted, showcasing successful models. Additionally the role of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were underscored.

The workshop set the stage for the development of a "Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils", which lays out a comprehensive framework for fostering policy support, improving governance, and facilitating stronger industry-research linkages. This roadmap will guide actionable recommendations for sustainable funding, infrastructure development, and enhanced collaborations between state councils, R&D institutions, universities, and the private sector.

News source: PIB