JAMMU: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, celebrated the 85th CSIR Foundation Day on Monday, with the programme focusing on integrative medicine, scientific innovation, stronger industry linkages and taking research closer to society.
Dr G.N. Singh, Advisor (Health) to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and former Drug Controller General of India, was the chief guest and delivered the Foundation Day lecture on “Integrative Medicine: From Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Innovation.”
Dr Singh stressed the need for closer integration among research institutions, industry, academia, regulators and society, saying India’s rich traditional knowledge should be systematically supported by modern scientific research to develop evidence-based healthcare solutions. He also emphasised the adoption of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and innovative approaches while maintaining high standards of safety, efficacy and quality.
He said scientific research should not remain confined to laboratories and underlined the importance of patents, technology transfer and commercialisation so that innovations ultimately translate into products and technologies benefiting society. He also called for strengthening indigenous capabilities in critical sectors and reducing dependence on imported technologies.
Encouraging young scientists, Dr Singh urged them to make full use of the scientific infrastructure and research ecosystem available through CSIR institutions.
Welcoming the chief guest, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu and CSIR-NBRI Lucknow, said the Foundation Day provided an opportunity to reflect on CSIR’s contribution to the country and chart the way forward. He highlighted CSIR-IIIM’s work in drug discovery, natural products, phytopharmaceuticals, agriculture, the Aroma Mission, start-ups and public outreach.
Dr Ahmed said the institute had filed 16 Indian patents and 14 international patent applications during the past year. He also highlighted the institute’s drug discovery programme and efforts under the CSIR Aroma Mission to support farmers and promote aromatic crop cultivation and related value chains.
The Director said CSIR-IIIM and its associated incubation facilities had supported more than 125 start-ups and entrepreneurs, providing technical, analytical and research support to help innovations progress towards product development.
As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, CSIR-IIIM organised an Open Day to connect young students with science and research. Around 1,200 students and more than 60 teachers from schools and colleges across Jammu visited the institute and were introduced to various research facilities, including the Janaki Ammal Herbarium, Plant Tissue Culture, Fermentation Technology, Discovery Informatics, Animal House, QA & QC Division, BSL-3 facility, Super Critical Extraction and CGMP-compliant Pilot Extraction Facility, besides the IIIM Technology Business Incubator.
A parallel Open Day was also organised at the CSIR-IIIM Branch Laboratory in Srinagar, where 57 students accompanied by eight faculty members from four schools visited laboratories and facilities related to Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Microbiology, the Atul Incubation Centre and Cancer Pharmacology.
During the Jammu programme, the Annual Report of CSIR-IIIM was released. Retiring officials were felicitated for their services, while meritorious students of permanent staff members and winners of Hindi Pakhwada competitions were also honoured. The institute also recognised the contributions of its scientists, technical and administrative staff, research scholars and supporting personnel.
