Jammu, Mar 24 (KNS): Commissioner Secretary of the Science and Technology Department Babila Rakwal on Tuesday said that science cannot be allowed to remain confined to laboratory settings only.
Inaugurating a two-day Research and Development (R&D) workshop at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, she underscored the need for a shift towards outcome-driven research.
"Science must not remain confined to academic institutions. Its value lies in the impact it creates on the ground," Rakwal said.
The workshop brought together 187 principal investigators from universities, technical institutions, and research bodies across the Union Territory for a structured review of publicly funded research projects.
During the inaugural session, the department released a Mid-Term Appraisal Report of R&D projects, launched an online R&D Project Management Portal, and distributed certificates under the Science Talent Promotion Scholarship Programme.
Officials said the newly launched portal would enable digital submission, evaluation, and real-time tracking of research projects.
"Monitoring should not be treated as a procedural requirement but as an integral part of research governance," she said.
She outlined a vision where research contributes to governance and infrastructure and addresses local challenges, including energy access, agriculture, and public services.
Highlighting sustainability, Rakwal said scientific interventions must focus on clean energy and ecological balance, particularly in a region with fragile ecosystems.
She referred to initiatives such as solarisation of government buildings, promotion of solar pumps, rural solar lighting, and small hydropower projects as steps towards energy security and environmental conservation.
The workshop covers agriculture, biotechnology, health sciences, engineering, renewable energy, environmental sciences, and emerging digital technologies.
Officials said the two-day programme provides a platform for interaction between researchers, experts, and policymakers, with outcomes expected to guide future policy decisions and strengthen research funding mechanisms in the Union Territory. (KNS)