Jammu, Mar 24: Commissioner/Secretary of the Science and Technology Department, Ms Babila Rakwal, on Tuesday emphasized that science in Jammu and Kashmir must directly benefit the public and not remain confined to laboratories. She made these remarks while inaugurating a two-day Research and Development (R&D) workshop at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu.
The workshop brought together 187 Principal Investigators from universities, technical institutions, and research bodies across the Union Territory to review publicly funded research projects and promote outcome-driven research.
“Science must not remain confined to academic institutions. Its value lies in the impact it creates on the ground,” Rakwal said, urging researchers to focus on policy-relevant and practical applications.
During the inaugural session, the Department released a Mid-Term Appraisal Report of ongoing R&D projects, launched an end-to-end online R&D Project Management Portal, and distributed certificates under the Science Talent Promotion Scholarship Programme. The portal aims to streamline project submission, evaluation, and tracking, enhancing transparency and accountability in research governance.
The workshop covered disciplines including agriculture, biotechnology, health sciences, engineering, renewable energy, environmental sciences, and emerging digital technologies. Rakwal highlighted the importance of sustainability, citing initiatives such as solarisation of government buildings, promotion of solar pumps, rural solar lighting, and small hydropower projects as steps toward energy security and ecological conservation in the region.
She stressed linking research with governance, infrastructure development, and local challenges like energy access, agriculture, and public service delivery. “Monitoring should not be a procedural requirement but an integral part of research governance,” she added.
Officials said the workshop provided a platform for direct interaction between researchers, experts, and policymakers, allowing investigators to present work, receive feedback, and guide future policy decisions. The initiative also aims to strengthen skill development, employability, entrepreneurship, and community engagement through science.
Rakwal further emphasized transparency in project selection through objective criteria, peer review, and alignment with priority sectors, ensuring effective utilisation of public funds. The two-day programme includes thematic discussions and expert evaluations, with outcomes expected to inform funding mechanisms and strategic research priorities across Jammu and Kashmir.
