Srinagar, Sept 11: To strengthen the state-centre coordination and collaboration mechanism in building a robust STI ecosystem and promote innovation and entrepreneurship, the Centre-State Science Conclave was organized at Science City Ahmadabad, Gujarat on 10th and 11th September 2022 inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and participated by S&T Ministers of States and Union Territories, Secretaries to Govt S&T Departments, Senior Officers from Govt. of India. Representatives of over 150 startups and innovators also participated.
The event was dedicated to deliberate upon plans and strategies for fostering state-centre S&T synergy and coordination and focusing on critical issues of state and national interests for socioeconomic development of the nation as a whole.
The event began with inaugural session presided over by Honourable PM followed by leadership session which was moderated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Honourable MoS Sceince and Technology, Govt. of India. After this session, 8 plenary sessions in different thematic areas were held in which Saurabh Bhagat, IAS , Commissioner Secretary to Govt., Science and Technology Department, J&K Govt. gave a power point presentation on the working of Department of Science and Technology, J&K Govt. in general and J&K Science Technology and Innovation Council (JKSTIC) in particular. He further disclosed that JKSTIC in collaboration with DBT, Govt. of India and CSIR are establishing two industrial biotechnology parks in UT of J&K one each at Handwara Kashmir and another at Ghati, Kuthua, Jammu.
JKSTIC in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, GoI, is establishing sub-regional science centre in the heart of city Srinagar besides other routine works / programs under Science Popularization, Sponsored Research and Extension Schemes. There are 123 R&D projects sponsored by JKSTIC in the last year. The research findings / outcomes of the research undertakings would be implemented for solving the problems and recommendations shall also be put forth before the relevant organizations for taking them to the ground implementation. The STIC has also launched Innovation Challenge program to promote innovation and encourage novel ideas.
JKSTIC have identified 150 such innovators and startups across UT and is planning to organize an innovators/startups meet where in along with startups and innovators, investors and industrialists across the country shall be invited. The meet is intended to provide an access and platform to the budding innovators and startups for investment, collaborations, connections and networking needed to launch and convert their ideas and initiatives into scalable business models and business organizations. The meet can be game changer for the innovators and startups to gain exposure and get connected to the industry and investment agencies , venture capitalists across the country.
The team headed by Saurabh Bhagat, IAS Commisioner Secretary to Govt, S&T Department included Dr Nasir Shah, Addl. Director JKSTIC, Sanjay Kharoo, Joint Director and Bilal Ahmad, Joint Director besides 8 innovators / startups. Sheikh Inayat Ullah, Innovator, CEO Startup Move Beyond was the team leader of the innovators and startups who attended the conclave.
