The 10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) recently held at IIT Guwahati, with Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh urging academia and industry to collaborate in making India a global manufacturing hub.
The event, hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, and CSIR, focuses on the theme “Science and Technology-led Manufacturing.” The four-day festival is being held in the Northeast for the first time and is expected to attract over 7,000 participants, including scientists, students, researchers, and visitors.
IISF 2024 includes the Museum of the Moon, the Students’ Science Village, and stalls showcasing the role of science and technology in the Northeast.
Speaking at the inaugural event Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,highlighted the region’s achievements in bio-manufacturing and sustainable development. He described hosting the festival at IIT Guwahati as a testament to the collaborative spirit of science across India.
According to the statement, N. Kalaiselvi, Director of CSIR, emphasized that India has the potential to become a global manufacturing leader. She assured that academia, industry, and research institutions would work together rather than in isolation.
A significant goal set during the festival is achieving $1 trillion in national and international investments in science and technology-led manufacturing by 2025-26. Kalaiselvi expressed optimism, stating that India’s large market and growing demand make this target realistic.
The event also introduced the “Guwahati Declaration,” which outlines a mission for all science and technology institutions in India to support the country’s journey toward becoming a manufacturing powerhouse.
-Rashmi Kumari
