In a startup move, the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (Office of PSA) to the Government of India have joined forces to introduce the Young Scientists Induction Training Programme. The launch took place on January 29, 2024, at the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIM-V).
This innovative program is the first of its kind and is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of young scientists and science administrators in various aspects of managing science and technology (S&T) programs, projects, products, and people. It also seeks to foster the exchange of ideas among participants, provide hands-on exposure to cutting-edge research and technology concepts, and improve functional, behavioral, and domain-specific skills.
The initiative, which was set in motion at the request of the Honourable Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, is a hybrid training module that combines online and on-campus activities. It is designed to cover a wide range of topics, including strategy and policy skills, system skills, soft skills, and societal relevance skills.
The program was inaugurated by Prof. M. Chandrasekhar, Director of IIM Vizag, who welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the program and its speakers. He highlighted that experts from across the country have been enlisted to deliver the various training modules, which will ultimately be made available on the iGOT platform to reach a wider audience across the government.
Mission Karmayogi Highlighted at the Innovative Young Scientists Induction Training Programme
During the launch, Mr. Shyama Prasad Roy, Secretary of the Capacity Building Commission, emphasized the evolving role of the state in transforming into a participatory government mechanism.
He underscored the significance of capacity building under Mission Karmayogi in attaining governance targets and outlined the various activities undertaken across the government to bridge demand and supply gaps. He also stressed the implementation of unique capacity-building models, including the role of the iGOT platform in providing broader access to various training modules for capacity building.
Dr. Arabinda Mitra, Honorary Distinguished Fellow at the Office of PSA, delivered a keynote address in which he emphasized the need for scientific departments and laboratories to embrace new capacities and skills to achieve contemporary national goals and meet the aspirations of the people and polity through science, technology, and innovation.
Furthermore, Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of PSA, asserted that the capacity building exercise for young scientists is a watershed moment that will enable them to reassess and realign their thought processes and work trajectories to contribute to national priorities and missions. She stressed the importance of continuous training and learning for the Young Scientists in light of the rapidly evolving technology landscape and associated ecosystem, which is essential for empowering the future scientific workforce and driving the creation of new technologies, products, and solutions to address local and global challenges and achieve the socio-economic growth of the country.
The inaugural cohort of the young scientists induction program comprises over 55 young scientists from various labs and centers of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The young scientists chosen will undergo training spread across four modules, involving activities such as expert interaction, lab and research facility visits, and collaborative exercises. IIM-V is developing a year-round calendar to ensure comprehensive coverage of the scientific workforce across the country.
This groundbreaking initiative is poised to have a transformative impact on the development of young scientific talent in India, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute significantly to the nation’s scientific and technological advancement.
