Science Must Serve People, Not Stay in Labs: Babila Rakwal at IIT Jammu Workshop | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Babila Rakwal on Tuesday said that science in Jammu and Kashmir must directly serve people and not remain confined to laboratories, while inaugurating a two-day Research and Development (R and D) workshop at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu.

The workshop brings together around 187 Principal Investigators from universities, technical institutions and research bodies across the Union Territory for a structured review of publicly funded research projects.

The initiative marks a significant shift towards outcome-driven research and transparent governance, with authorities aiming to align scientific work with real-world applications and public service delivery.

“Science must not remain confined to academic institutions. Its value lies in the impact it creates on the ground,” Rakwal said, emphasising the need for practical, policy-relevant research.

The programme covers a wide range of disciplines including agriculture, biotechnology, health sciences, engineering, renewable energy, environmental sciences and emerging digital technologies.

During the inaugural session, the Department released a Mid-Term Appraisal Report of R and D projects, launched an end-to-end online R and D Project Management Portal and distributed certificates under the Science Talent Promotion Scholarship Programme.

Officials said the newly launched portal will enable digital submission, evaluation and real-time tracking of research projects, reducing delays and ensuring transparency in decision-making.

Rakwal said public-funded research must undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure accountability and alignment with objectives.

“Monitoring should not be treated as a procedural requirement but as an integral part of research governance,” she said.

She outlined a broader vision where research contributes to governance, infrastructure development and addressing local challenges, including energy access, agriculture and public services.

Highlighting sustainability, Rakwal said scientific interventions must focus on clean energy, efficient resource utilisation 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 key steps towards energy security and environmental conservation.

Officials said institutional support is being strengthened through funding of research projects, development of infrastructure and expansion of outreach initiatives, including regional science centres and biotechnology parks.

Rakwal stressed the importance of skill development and building a future-ready talent base, linking research with employability, entrepreneurship and community engagement.

She also emphasised the need for transparency in project selection through objective criteria, peer review and alignment with priority sectors to ensure effective utilisation of public funds.

The workshop, officials said, provides a platform for direct interaction between researchers, experts and policymakers, allowing investigators to present their work and receive feedback.

The two-day programme includes thematic discussions and expert evaluations, with outcomes expected to guide future policy decisions and strengthen research funding mechanisms in the Union Territory.