Dr Jitendra Singh to launch BioNEST Incubator at Biotech Park Kathua

Director CSIR-IIIM addressing media persons at Jammu on Friday.
Director CSIR-IIIM addressing media persons at Jammu on Friday.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Oct 24: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, is setting up a BioNEST Incubator, funded by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), GoI, at Industrial Biotech Park, Kathua.
Addressing the media during the curtain raiser event of “BioInnovation connect @ Kathua”, being held on 27th Oct, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, said that Dr Jitendra Singh, Union minister and Vice President CSIR, will be chief guest at the “BioInnovation connect @ Kathua” and formally launch BioNEST Incubator.
Several dignitaries, stakeholders, academicians, scientists, policy makers, students & scholars, startups, early-stage entrepreneurs, industry representatives and the members of civil society have been invited to participate in this event, informed Dr Ahmed.
Giving the detail of the event and the main objectives of the BioNEST Incubation Centre, Dr Ahmed said that this incubation centre at Biotech Park, Kathua will serve as a robust platform to provide the incubation and skill support to the innovators, youth, agri-entrepreneurs, startups, progressive farmers and scholars from not only from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh but also from neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Click here to watch video
The incubator will focus on thematic areas including the Agri-Aroma Products, Phytopharmaceuticals, Natural Products, similar bio-based innovations and the job-oriented skill development courses. He appealed the young students, scholars and innovators to come forward to get due benefits from the Biotech Park having varied types of facilities available.
This unique event is expected to have participation from farmers, students, academicians, scientists, policy makers, early-stage entrepreneurs, and other stake holders. It will serve as a catalyst in strengthening and leveraging the bioinnovation of the region, with potential for long-term impact of BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy. The event is being organized by CSIR-IIIM and IIIM-TBI, in association with the Science, Technology & Innovation Council, J&K, featuring the Startup Meet, Skilling development initiatives, expert talks on BioE3 Policy, Entrepreneur development in J&K.
Pertinently, the Industrial Biotech Park (ITBP) at Ghatti, Kathua is North India’s first biotech park, a flagship programme of Union Ministry of Science & Technology, closely mentored by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister and Vice President CSIR, CSIR-IIIM, is aimed at nurturing bioinnovation and entrepreneurship development in the region.