Science and Technology Cluster launched in Hyderabad

The city was chosen for the formal roll out of the first of the four Union government-backed Science and Technology Cluster on Friday.

Hyderabad is one of the four cities selected for the establishment of the Science and Technology Cluster by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) to facilitate nationwide scientific collaboration. The other cities selected for the mega clusters are Bengaluru, National Capital Region (NCR)-Delhi and Pune.

The Hyderabad Cluster will be led by the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH).

The city cluster aims at improving overall outcomes for science, technology and innovation in the country. Telangana has one of the highest growth rates in the country due to its focus on innovation in all sectors, and from all constituents.

Hyderabad has therefore been chosen as one of the cities for setting up a mega S&T cluster. The cluster was formally launched in a virtual event by KT Rama Rao, Minister for IT, Industries and MA&UD, Telangana and K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific adviser (PSA), Government of India in the presence of Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, Industries & Commerce (I&C) and IT Departments, Government of Telangana, Dr Arabinda Mitra (scientific secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India), and Ajit Rangnekar (Director General, RICH).

Launching



the Hyderabad Cluster, KT Rama Rao said, “Telangana has introduced several initiatives to bring prosperity through science and innovation. The State has over 60 R&D labs (including government and private sector) creating a vibrant ecosystem. Telangana’s focus on innovation has been broad-based covering students, rural population, farmers and women, besides industry and academia.”

“We are looking to help launch at least five large impactful companies over a period of next 5-7 years, which will benefit millions, generate wealth, and create over 1,00,000 jobs across the country. In the long-term, the government will focus on global leadership through strong research and education focusing on personalised medicine and appropriate nutrition for every citizen,” added KTR.

Jayesh Ranjan, IT principal secretary, Telangana said, in the last four years, RICH has been able to bring together the interests of the R&D institutions, industry, startups and the government. The Hyderabad cluster will enable RICH to take part in international projects and collaborations among all the key stakeholders.

“RICH, which has initiated several efforts towards research and innovation, is ready to initiate the works on the cluster. We will foster multi-disciplinary research and entrepreneurship to build a more prosperous and equitable future for all,” added Ajit Rangnekar, director general of RICH.