Date: Oct 22, 2021
October 19, 2021: The first BioNEST Bioincubator Center of Garo Hills, Meghalaya funded by BIRAC, DBT, Govt. of India was launched on 6th October, 2021 at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tura Campus in the presidency of Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, Vice-Chancellor, NEHU. Dr. G. Narahari Sastry, Director, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam was present as the Chief Guest while Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar, Director General R&D and CEO, KIIT, Bhubaneswar, Orisha had graced the occasion as the Guests of Honour. Dr. Namrata Misra, Head, Bioinnovation, KIIT-TBI, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha and Shri Ram Singh, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya were the other notables in the program.
Dr. BK Mishra, the Project Leader of the BioNEST Bioincubator Centre emphasized on the focus of the center to support innovations and promote entrepreneurship in the field of agriculture, food and nutrition utilizing the natural indigenous resources of NER. Dr. G. Narahari Sastry discussed the challenges and opportunities of Bio-entrepreneurship in NER. Dr. Sastry emphasized on globalizing the local knowledge and localization of the global technology as a sustainable startup building strategy. Dr. Sastry also accentuated on the need of working closely with the State Government and Local Authorities for the success of the Bioincubator. Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar vividly explained the need of incubators in the biotech sector and shared his experience on establishing a bioincubator in a meaningful way to help the innovators. Dr. Suar expressed confidence on the availability of funding for the entrepreneurship development rather stressed on building a new, enriched, easily accessible ecosystem for the startups and appealed the gathering to contribute in the developmental process. Dr. Namrata Misra illuminated the gathering about the funding opportunities for the startups during the different stages of product development starting from ideation to commercialization. Shri Ram Singh assured to provide help of all sorts needed by the center and shared his valuable experience of working in the Garo hills. Prof. P. S. Shukla viewed the center as a part of university’s social responsibility and stressed on the need to support innovations and the employment opportunities the center might create. Prof. G. Singaiah described the center as the need of the hour and assured to extend the whole hearted support to the center for the betterment of the society.
A large number of academicians, scientists, government officials and innovators were present in the program including the faculties from Don Bosco College, Tura Government College, College of Community Science and NEHU; scientists from KVK Williamnagar and KVK Tura; representatives from District Commerce & Industries Centre, Skill India Mission, Bakdil NGO and others. The program was courteously summed up by the vote of thanks presented by Prof. D.C. Kalita, Head of the Department of Rural Development & Agricultural Production (RDAP) and finally concluded through the National Anthem. The function ended on a good note with high motivation and encouragement to the future entrepreneurs.
2024, North-Eastern Hill University
Designed & developed at Bioinformatics Centre, NEHU
