IIT Mandi Strengthens Research Ties with Anusandhan National Research Foundation

IIT Mandi Hosts ANRF CEO for Collaborative Research Initiatives

Munish Sood
Mandi

The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi took a significant step in enhancing India's research and innovation landscape with the recent visit of Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, the CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), from April 9 to April 12.

This visit highlighted a mutual goal of improving research quality, broadening access to advanced facilities, and promoting innovation across various fields. The initiative aimed to strengthen institutional research capabilities, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and boost engagement in ANRF’s funding and innovation initiatives.

During the welcome address, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, the Director of IIT Mandi, underscored the pivotal role of ANRF in establishing sustainable research ecosystems throughout India. He remarked that IIT Mandi is progressively becoming a center for multidisciplinary research and is dedicated to enhancing India's position in global research.

In his address to faculty and students, Dr. Kalyanaraman emphasized the crucial role institutions like IIT Mandi play in shaping the future of research in India. He stated, “Interdisciplinary innovation aligned with national priorities will propel India’s scientific advancement. ANRF is dedicated to supporting such institutions through increased funding, partnerships, and innovation frameworks to create significant national and global impacts.”

Throughout his visit, Dr. Kalyanaraman engaged in in-depth discussions with faculty, researchers, students, and administrators. He provided strategic insights regarding ANRF’s future initiatives, funding strategies, and national research priorities, urging the institute to capitalize on these opportunities for breakthroughs in both fundamental and applied sciences.

A notable aspect of the visit was the Institute Colloquium led by Dr. Kalyanaraman, titled “ANRF Vision: Empowering India as a Research & Innovation Power.” This session detailed ANRF’s strategy for establishing India as a global leader in scientific research through robust institutional collaborations.

Faculty members from IIT Mandi showcased their current and proposed research projects backed by ANRF, focusing on critical areas such as renewable energy, biomedical sciences, energy storage, quantum physics, multimodal artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, and environmental sustainability, all of which align with national priorities.

Dr. Shyam Kumar Masakapalli, Dean (SRIC), emphasized the importance of such interactions with national research leaders, stating that they act as catalysts for academic and research progress, paving the way for new collaborative and innovative opportunities.

In addition to the discussions, IIT Mandi organized a brainstorming roundtable with leaders from prominent institutions across Himachal Pradesh to enhance regional research collaboration.

Dr. Kalyanaraman also toured the institute’s advanced laboratories and research centers, gaining insights into innovative technologies and ongoing efforts to convert research into commercially viable solutions.

This visit signifies a strong alignment of vision between IIT Mandi and ANRF, reinforcing their shared commitment to establishing India as a global leader in research and innovation.