IIT Guwahati hosts North East Research Conclave 2022

May 21: Union education and skill development minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while inaugurating North East Research Conclave (NERC) 2022 at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati on Friday, commented that it would strengthen the linkages between industry, academia & policy makers and further invigorate the research, start-up and entrepreneurship ecosystems in the resource-rich north-eastern region and the country.

“NERC 2022 will be a global benchmark for fulfilling research & development priorities of India and the world,” said Pradhan, adding that the objective of research should be to find solutions to chronic problems of the country and to encourage all people to come together, work together and produce together for the welfare of the most vulnerable. He stated that north-eastern States have immense potential to promote research and innovation.

Organized to showcase the best research & developmental activities from all NE educational and research institutions, the three-day NERC 2022 witnesses the participation of nearly 3000 eminent personalities from eight north-eastern States as well as the other parts of India. It will also seek to create a common interface for interaction of academia and industry in northeast India. The conclave is also expected to work towards creating an environment conducive to the development of local indigenous technologies and innovations, also laying the foundation for entrepreneurship and to agglomerate a vast talent pool, for the promotion of translational research.

Pradhan appealed to the youngsters and students to walk on the path of duties and responsibilities to take the country to new heights. He informed that to strengthen the research ecosystem, encourage innovation at grass-roots and lead India to self-reliance the government is in the process of setting up National Research Foundation with a proposed outlay of rupees 50,000 crore in line with the recommendations of NEP 2020.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in his deliberation said that research in science & technology and related developments are very crucial for a fast developing nation like India. In a progressive society both are considered as the fundamental building blocks as those play a critical role in the process of innovation and expanding knowledge and understanding.

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal in his address commented that the mega event will help the young generation to fulfill their dreams in near future. He called upon IIT Guwahati, which is born out of historic Assam Accord, to foster the new engine of India through research & academics. India is becoming a global leader under the dynamic leadership of PM Narendra Modi and every Indian must build a foundation for the future generations to take this movement forward, said Sonowal.

In presence of Union ministers G Kishan Reddy, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Subhas Sarkar, Rameswar Teli, State ministers Ranoj Pegu, Keshab Mahanta, IITG director TG Sitharam, Parliamentarian Queen Ojha with others, a memorandum of understanding tiled Assam Advanced Health Innovation Institute was also signed between the State government and IIT Guwahati.