Education Minister Launches Nano Technology & Knowledge System Centres At IIT-Guwahati

Guwahati: Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated a state-of-the-art Centre for Nanotechnology (CNT) and Centre for Indian Knowledge System (CIKS) as well as two hostels at the IIT-Guwahati on Sunday.

Pradhan also released a book on NEP 2020 implementation in the presence of Assam Education minister Dr Ranoj and Parliamentarian Queen Oja were also present, according to a PIB release.

Speaking on the occasion Pradhan congratulated IIT-Guwahati for achieving excellent rankings in various international and national ranking systems and appreciated the efforts of IIT-Guwahati for creating an ecosystem for research and education as well as focusing on overall development of the northeastern region. He also said that IIT Guwahati has to play an important role in areas like, disaster management, biodiversity-based research, green energy development, strengthening knowledge-based economy and driving entrepreneurship among the students. He also called upon the students and faculty associated with the institute to synergize technology and knowledge to create a vibrant ecosystem of solution-centric innovation.

Pradhan said that Srimant Sankardev was a great scholar who gave new thought and shape to civilisation and humanity. The glorious Ahom culture, the mighty Brahmaputra, the blessed land of Ma Kamakhya and greats like Lachit Borphukan should serve as an inspiration for students at the IIT Guwahati, the minister added.

The Centre for Nanotechnology (CNT) aims at meeting future challenges and augment academic partnerships with industry in Nanotechnology. The major funding for the Centre, which included Rs. 37 crore for the building, apart from equipment, was obtained from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.

It will host 25 advanced laboratories that will focus on advancements in multi-disciplinary, scientific and translational research and is equipped with a Class-100 clean room facilities integrated with state-of-the-art fabrication, characterization and testing laboratories.

The Centre for Indian Knowledge System (CIKS) will focus on preserving, documenting and sustaining the knowledge that is unique to India. The top priorities include Indian classical music, Yoga, Sanskrit, traditional medicines, temple architecture, ceramic tradition and special agricultural practices of North-East India, herbal plants of north-east as health food and metalwork of Assam.

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