Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science & Technology, emphasized early industry involvement in research projects and technology development at the 6th RISE Conclave.
During an interaction with CEOs, CSOs and COOs of industries at the 6th RISE Conclave held at CSIR-IICB, Kolkata, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh urged a fundamental shift in the way industry and research institutions collaborate. He emphasized that potential commercial partners should be identified and associated at the project-planning stage itself to align market requirements and practical considerations with technology development.
Responding to an industry suggestion, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the benefits of early participation by industry, citing inputs on market dynamics, design, environmental sustainability, supply-chain requirements, and commercial viability as key advantages. He emphasized that a technology should not reach the market only to discover it needs modification to meet actual user requirements.
The interaction provided a direct platform for industry to present specific technology and challenges before the Minister. Critical minerals, indigenous technology, rare-earth extraction, permanent magnets, recycling, lithium beneficiation, and the recovery of strategic minerals such as vanadium and titanium emerged as major areas of interest. Industry representatives sought technological hand-holding from CSIR laboratories for scaling these technologies while discussions also covered exploration possibilities for rare earths and other critical minerals in eastern India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the need to leverage capabilities being developed across CSIR institutions and other government scientific agencies. He responded positively to industry inputs relating to space technology and specialised optical components, seeking relevant details and indicating that the matter could be taken up with the Department of Space.
Regulatory simplification was also discussed, with Dr. Jitendra Singh inviting specific inputs from industry for consideration.
Dr. Jitendra Singh suggested exploring a common R&D facility for the foundry sector, encouraging steel-sector players to collaborate. He also addressed Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals' suggestion to revive indigenous production of anti-snake venom, advising alignment with scientific and public-health requirements.
A startup working in the venom and snakebite space presented technologies for identifying the species responsible for a snakebite and developing new antivenom solutions. Dr. Jitendra Singh welcomed the innovation but emphasized that such technologies would require proper scientific validation and clinical trials before wider adoption. He stressed that patient safety cannot be compromised and pointed the innovators towards the West Bengal Health Ministry for necessary validation.
Throughout the interaction, Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged industry representatives to move from general discussions to specific, actionable requirements and assured government and scientific institutions' readiness to facilitate appropriate linkages.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
