Munish Sood
Mandi
The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi marked a significant step towards strengthening India’s research and innovation ecosystem with the visit of Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, from April 9 to April 12.
The visit underscored a shared vision of enhancing research excellence, expanding access to advanced infrastructure, and fostering innovation across disciplines. It aimed at boosting institutional research capacity, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and increasing participation in ANRF’s funding and innovation programmes.
Welcoming the ANRF CEO, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, emphasized the critical role of ANRF in building sustainable research ecosystems across India. He noted that IIT Mandi continues to emerge as a hub of multidisciplinary research and is committed to contributing to India’s global research standing.
Addressing faculty and students, Dr. Kalyanaraman highlighted the importance of institutions like IIT Mandi in shaping the future of research in India. “Interdisciplinary innovation aligned with national priorities will drive India’s scientific progress. ANRF is committed to supporting such institutions through enhanced funding, collaborations, and innovation frameworks to create both national and global impact,” he said.
During his visit, Dr. Kalyanaraman engaged in extensive discussions with faculty members, researchers, students, and administrators. He shared strategic insights on ANRF’s future direction, funding mechanisms, and national research priorities, encouraging the institute to leverage these opportunities for breakthroughs in both fundamental and applied sciences.
A key highlight of the visit was the Institute Colloquium delivered by Dr. Kalyanaraman on “ANRF Vision: Empowering India as a Research & Innovation Power.” The session outlined ANRF’s roadmap for positioning India as a global leader in scientific research through strong institutional partnerships.
Faculty members at IIT Mandi presented their ongoing and proposed research projects supported by ANRF, showcasing work in critical areas such as renewable energy, biomedical sciences, energy storage, quantum physics, multimodal artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, and environmental sustainability—demonstrating alignment with national priorities.
Highlighting the significance of the interaction, Dr. Shyam Kumar Masakapalli, Dean (SRIC), stated that such engagements with national research leaders serve as catalysts for academic and research advancement, opening new avenues for collaboration and innovation.
As part of its outreach efforts, IIT Mandi also hosted a brainstorming roundtable involving leaders from leading institutions across Himachal Pradesh to strengthen regional research collaboration.
Dr. Kalyanaraman also toured the institute’s state-of-the-art laboratories and research centres, gaining insights into cutting-edge technologies and ongoing efforts to translate research into commercially viable solutions.
The visit reflects a strong convergence of vision between IIT Mandi and ANRF, reinforcing their joint commitment to positioning India as a global powerhouse in research and innovation.
