Malabar region of the state of Kerala is blessed with the presence of many outstanding educational and research institutions. Coming together of these institutions for collaborative efforts in various fields of activity can go a long way in bringing promising results which ultimately improves the quality of life and facilitates social empowerment.
Prof. Sivaji Chakravorti, Director, National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) has taken initiative to organize a high level meeting of the Heads of the prominent Government funded Institutions in and around Kozhikode as a first step in bringing the institutions together to a common platform. The objective was to bring the institutions,working in different disciplines, together to share the strengths and play mutually beneficial/complementary roles in the research and development arena and create a win-win situation for all. This novel initiative is named as NIRMAN (National Institutions for Rekindling Manpower through Active iNvolvement)
The meeting was held on 22nd June 2016 at NIT Calicut which was attended by representatives of the following institutions:
1. Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode
2. ICAR- Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode
3. Government Medical College, Kozhikode
4. Centre for Water Resources Development & Management, Kozhikode
5. Government Engineering College, West Hill, Kozhikode
6. University of Calicut
7. Government Dental College,Kozhikode
8. National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology, Calicut
9. National Institute of Technology Calicut
Each of the above institutions presented the summary of their research activities, their specific strengths and the possible areas of mutual interest. It was followed by a brainstorming session to find out means for collaboration and developing research proposals. All the delegates were enthusiastic in establishing a seamless networking among the educational and R&D institutions in this part of the country for undertaking studies and research, for the benefit of the society.
Based on the discussions held in the meeting, the following themes have been identified as the areas of collaboration to start with:
1. Scientific Waste Management
2. Information Technology and IT Enabled Services
3. Rain water Harvesting
4. Materials Research
5. Energy Technology
Being the first step in the right direction, the meeting concluded with the delegates expressing a strong desire to foster mutual collaborations to facilitate attainment of noble objectives for a better tomorrow.
