The meeting aimed to strengthen inter-cluster collaboration and technology visibility. The event was chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
On October 9–10, 2026, the Fourth All Science & Technology (S&T) Clusters’ Meet was held at Panjab University, Chandigarh. The event was hosted by PU-IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations Foundation (PI-RAHI).
In attendance were Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary and Dr Vishal Choudhary, Scientist-F, Office of the PSA; Prof. Meenakshi Goyal, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University; Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar; Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Director, IIT Jodhpur; Prof. Rajat Sandhir, and Dr Pushpendra P. Singh, Director, PI-RAHI; and representatives of the eight S&T Clusters.
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, in his opening remarks, highlighted the growing global engagement of the Clusters, including 12 international Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) emerging from the First International Conference on S&T Clusters and subsequent partnerships with the University of Western Australia, India–Australia Smart Farm Network and UK Catapult Network.
During the inaugural session, Prof. Sood launched an Automatic Weather Station, showcased key inter-Cluster initiatives in sustainable mobility and clean technologies, and inaugurated a Digital Podiatric Clinic at the Panjab University Health Centre. He also emphasized the need to strengthen inter-Cluster collaboration, stakeholder participation, coordination with RuTAG and RSVCs, and technology visibility.
The two-day Meet provided a platform to review the progress of the eight S&T Clusters, assess their ongoing initiatives and discuss their present and future plans, with emphasis on technology translation, inter-cluster collaboration, industry engagement and strengthening regional innovation ecosystems.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
