SRINAGAR: NITI Aayog Member Dr M Srinivas on Friday visited CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Srinagar, and reviewed the institute’s research, innovation, entrepreneurship and societal outreach initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Srinivas was accompanied by NITI Aayog Economic Adviser Subhash Chandra Meena, Deputy Adviser Dr Muniraju S B and Atal Innovation Mission Programme Lead Sumaya Yousuf.
During the visit, the delegation interacted with scientists, researchers, startups and officials and reviewed various science-led initiatives being undertaken by CSIR-IIIM and its innovation ecosystem.
Dr Srinivas visited the AIC-IIIM Bioinnovation Foundation and the Atal Incubation Centre housed at the institute. He was briefed on incubation and entrepreneurship activities, including mentorship, institutional support, technology development and assistance being provided to startups and innovators.
Interacting with scientists and researchers, Dr Srinivas appreciated the institute’s work in areas including phytochemicals, medicinal and aromatic plants, floriculture and healthcare-related research.
He stressed the need to translate scientific research into technologies, products and solutions that can have a wider societal impact.
Dr Srinivas also called for stronger linkages between research, innovation and entrepreneurship, urging young researchers and startup founders to focus on real-world applications and pursue collaborations that can facilitate technology development and commercialisation.
He emphasised the importance of partnerships between scientists, clinicians, industry and policymakers to accelerate the translation of research into practical applications.
Welcoming the delegation, CSIR-IIIM Director and CSIR-NBRI Lucknow Director Dr Zabeer Ahmed highlighted the institute’s work in research, technology development, incubation and societal outreach.
He outlined the role of the Technology Business Incubator (TBI-IIIM), AIC-IIIM and Industrial Biotechnology Parks in helping scientific ideas move from laboratories towards the marketplace.
Dr Ahmed also flagged challenges faced in research and development related to phytopharmaceuticals and other plant-based interventions, including the need for timely research permissions and specialised facilities for clinical translation and commercialisation.
Dr Srinivas assured the institute that the issues raised during the interaction would be examined at the appropriate level.
Presentations were also made on the institute’s Technology Business Incubator, Floriculture Mission and Aroma Mission, highlighting initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, value addition and livelihood generation through science-based interventions.
The visit concluded with the felicitation of the visiting dignitaries and a vote of thanks.
