National Workshop maps strategy to strengthen State R & D Ecosystems

A two-day National Workshop on “Sustaining Innovation: Embedding R and D in State Institutions,” organised by NITI Aayog, concluded at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham here on Monday, outlining a clear roadmap for strengthening state-level research and innovation ecosystems across the country.
Organised in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, the workshop brought together senior policymakers, scientists and academic leaders to deliberate on institutionalising research and development within state institutions to support evidence-based policymaking, scalable innovation and sustainable development.
Delivering the special address, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery said the research initiatives at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham were closely aligned with real-world challenges faced by ordinary citizens. He noted that the Prime Minister firmly believes many societal issues can be addressed through the purposeful application of technology and stressed the need to align research outcomes with national priorities and public welfare.
The workshop began on January 8 with a welcome address by Dr. Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh, Pro Vice Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, who highlighted the responsibility of universities in nurturing sustainable R and D ecosystems. In a video message, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Chancellor of the university, emphasised inclusion, compassion and the responsible use of technology as foundations of societal progress. NITI Aayog Member Dr. V. K. Paul underlined the importance of embedding R and D deeply within institutions to ensure long-term and impactful innovation.
Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology Member Secretary Prof. Dr. S. Vincent said Tamil Nadu leads the country in patent filings, with 5,000 to 6,000 applications annually, and noted Amrita’s significant contribution to this achievement.
A key highlight of the workshop was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, New Delhi, to promote impactful research and science and technology initiatives.
The workshop featured technical sessions and panel discussions on strengthening State Science and Technology Councils, institutionalising innovation through state missions and linking grassroots innovation with policy frameworks. A total of 79 external delegates from government bodies, research institutions and academia participated in the deliberations.