Anusandhan National Research Foundation Reviews Progress of Saksham Project at IIT-I
Indore: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) conducted an inspection of the ongoing Saksham project at the Indian Institute of Technology, Indore (IIT-I). This project is designed to mentor emerging academic and research institutions in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The review focused on the commissioning of advanced research facilities and the strengthening of capacity across partner institutions.
High-Level Review Meeting
A high-level review meeting took place on the IIT-I campus, where senior officials from ANRF, including CEO Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, engaged with representatives from IIT-I and its six partner institutions. These institutions operate under the Saksham hub and spoke model, which is supported by the ANRF PAIR initiative. The hub institution, IIT-I, collaborates with:
- Bundelkhand University
- Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya
- IIIT Bhopal
- NIT Kurukshetra
- RTM Nagpur University
- Vikram University
Vice-chancellors, deans, and principal investigators from all partner institutes participated in this significant meeting.
Project Progress and Thematic Areas
Officials reported that the Saksham project is advancing across three primary thematic areas:
- Environmental Sustainability
- Advanced Materials
- Health and Medical Technologies
A notable milestone presented during the review was the commissioning of a Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre (SIC) at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), which significantly enhances testing and analytical capacity in the region.
Impact on Research Ecosystem
Prof. Suhas Joshi, the director of IIT-I, emphasized that the collaboration is fostering a more interconnected research ecosystem. “The progress demonstrated today, including the establishment of advanced facilities such as the SIC, reflects the potential of coordinated capacity building,” he stated. This sentiment was echoed by officials from ANRF, who noted that the hub and spoke model is effectively promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and broadening access to essential research resources.
Guidance for Future Projects
Kalyanaraman expressed his satisfaction with the structured mentorship model at IIT-I, suggesting that it could serve as a guiding framework for similar national projects. “It is a pleasure to meet all hands involved in Saksham on this campus. The practices adopted here will serve as a guiding star to other institutions,” he remarked.
Seamless Knowledge Flow
Prof. Abhirup Datta, head of research and development at IIT-I, highlighted that Saksham is facilitating a seamless flow of knowledge and infrastructure among institutions, thereby accelerating scientific capability. This initiative is crucial in enhancing the overall research landscape in the region.
Conclusion
The review of the Saksham project by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation at IIT-I marks a significant step in the advancement of research and academic collaboration in India. By focusing on key areas such as environmental sustainability, advanced materials, and health technologies, the project aims to create a robust framework for future research endeavors across partner institutions.
Note: This article is based on the latest updates regarding the Saksham project and the efforts of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
