September 27: As a Part of CSIR’s 80th Foundation Day celebration, the National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) and the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR) are organizing CEOs Roundtable Meet. The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), known for its cutting-edge R&D knowledge base in diverse Science &Technology areas, has been providing technological solutions for the country since 1942. CSIR has a dynamic network of 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes, and five units with a pan-India presence.

Over the years, scientists of CSIR-NBRI & CSIR-IITR have developed several technologies and products of industrial and social relevance. However, many of these technologies developed during the five years are yet to be transferred to the industry. Keeping this in mind, the roundtable meeting has been organized involving the industry leaders from different parts of the country.

Dr. Mahendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of Uttar Pradesh, was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the program. He emphasized the need for a research institution and industry collaboration to take the country forward.

Welcoming the guests and industry participants, Prof. SK Barik, Director, CSIR-NBRI and CSIR-IITR, informed that this meet is focused on strengthening the partnership between industry and R&D institutions. He emphasized the need for Government-Industry Collaboration to make India Self-Reliant / to make Bharat AtmaNirbhar. The round table meet will be helpful to establish an effective collaboration of CSIR Labs with the prospective entrepreneurs, start-ups, and industry persons. “Being a scientific institution, our products and technologies must reach to ground level for the betterment of the society. Most of these technologies have been developed during the past three years with substantial innovation component”. said Prof. SK Barik.

The meet would also provide an opportunity for one-to-one engagements with mentors, experts, investors, and service providers. The event is intended to showcase the cutting-edge technology, research, innovation, and start-ups coming out of the Institute Ecosystem, he added.

Most of these technologies have been developed during the past three years with substantial innovation components.

Mr. Vinayak Nath, Co-Chair, CITAR, CSIR-IITR discussed in his keynote the Need for Scientist- Industry Collaboration for making India a 5 trillion Economy. He further added that to achieve 5 trillion economies, we need to set the target for Agriculture and Startups with a respective target of 1 trillion economies. He also mentioned the importance of Agriculture and start-up collaboration. He appealed to the scientists to work for solutions to the problems that the industry and the country are facing.

A total of 12 MoUs were signed on occasion by different companies for products and technologies developed by CSIR-IITR and NBRI. The NBRI signed 6 MoUs with Mark Laboratories, M21 Breweries Pvt Ltd, Tansukh Herbal Pvt Ltd, Aashvi Technologies LLP, Kalob Organics LLP, and Ultra International Ltd. NBRI also signed an MoU with IFFCO for Collaborative Research in the field of Agriculture and Bio-Stimulants. The IITR signed 6 Memorandum of Collaborations with Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited, Toshiba Water Solutions, Tata Motors, Ultra International Limited, Yash Pakka, Faizabad, Khanna Paper Mills.

On this occasion, the inventor, scientists, and business development groups of both the institutions were present.