Guwahati: The 10th edition of India International Science Festival 2024 (IISF 2024), held at IIT Guwahati from November 30 November to December 3, concluded successfully, leaving an indelible mark on India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in science, technology, and innovation.
Minister for Science, Technology and Climate Change Keshab Mahanta graced the valedictory event as the chief guest.
Other dignitaries included Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR; Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram; Prof. Subhendu Sekhar Bag, Associate Dean, and IIT-G’s single point of contact for IISF 2024, among others.
Speaking at the event, Keshab Mahanta, said, “IISF 2024 has truly been a remarkable celebration of India’s scientific achievements, underscoring the pivotal role of science and technology in shaping our future. Over the last four days, we have witnessed an inspiring display of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, with participants from all walks of life coming together to explore the transformative power of science. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as all the partners who have supported this initiative.”
He said, “Assam is honoured to host such an important event, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to advance science and technology in the region. As we look ahead, we remain focused on leveraging science and innovation to build a more sustainable and self-reliant future for India.”
IISF 2024 featured 25 distinct events with more than 150 technical sessions and panel discussions organized over three days. The huge breadth of the events could be ascertained from the presence of more than 400 resource persons and 7,000+ registered delegates who attended the technical sessions. Most of the visitors were engaged in interactions at the various exhibition halls.
Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, said, “CSIR is proud to contribute to India’s scientific progress and will ensure the ‘Guwahati Declaration’ drives impactful initiatives. We are committed to nurturing innovative ideas from the student hackathon and tackling key challenges through mission-driven programs. Together, we are committed to strengthen IISF as a platform for inspiration and collaboration, advancing India’s global scientific leadership.”
Organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CISR) under the aegis of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Earth Sciences, with the nodal institute of the event being CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, the four-day festival featured several high-profile sessions.
These included the Science Institutional Leaders Meet and roundtable discussions on critical topics such as sustainability, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture, solidifying India’s position in the global S&T arena.
These discussions brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academicians to chart a roadmap for leveraging innovation to achieve self-reliance and global competitiveness.
