Vigyan Utsav - Punjab showcases Science Technology and Innovation Ecosystem of the State

Vigyan Utsav, a PAN India initiative has been planned by Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India in collaboration with State Science & Technology Councils to showcase country’s Science Technology & Innovation (STI) ecosystem for Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The initiative is a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – the celebration of country’s 75 years of independence.   ​Vigyan Utsav - Punjab is being steered by Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST).  It was inaugurated today by Shri Dilip Kumar IAS, Principal Secretary, Science Technology & Environment, Punjab.  He shared that this unique year long programme will provide an opportunity to researchers, students, teaching faculty and industry to learn about one key pillar of Punjab’s STI Ecosystem every month.  He also released Report on ‘Innovation and Incubation Ecosystem of Punjab’ prepared by PSCST in collaboration with GIZ and StartUp Punjab. 

Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Executive Director, PSCST informed that Deptt. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India has selected the State of Punjab to develop a model framework for mapping and augmentation of State STI Ecosystem for emulation by other States in the country.  It will help the States in putting an institutional mechanism in place for data based planning. 

​The theme of inaugural event of the programme was ‘STI institutions in Punjab’.  The Heads of  key universities and  institutions in the State including Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar; Prof. Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute; Prof. Amitava Patra, Director, Institute of Nano Science & Technology; Dr. H.K. Sardana, Chief Scientist, Central Scientific Instruments Organzation; Dr. N.G. Prasad, Dean, IISER-Mohali, Dr. Navtej Bains, Director, Research, PAU; Dr. J.P.S. Gill, Director, Research, GADVASU and Dr. NirmalOuseppachan, Registrar, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences shared  key strengths of their institutions.  In an interactive panel moderated by Mr. Janak Nabar, Chief Executive Officer, Centre of Technology Innovation & Economic Research, they also shared about advanced technologies being developed by their institutions. About 1000 participants from across the State joined the program through various online platforms.