The COVID-19 Pandemic is forcing a strategic rethink within the Government on how it nurtures its scientific landscape. There is a realization that instead of importing, creating indigenous knowledge and manufacturing base should be the national priority. Unlike other services, drugs and medical devices cannot be developed overnight. India with its CSIR Laboratories and outfits like BIRAC, has built a strong bio science foundation with a robust and start up corporate base. in a way COVID-19 Pandemic crisis has catalyzed India and its Scientific Community. The Indian Scientific Community is very much optimistic that it will reflect in the budget allocations.

In today’s connected world, geographic boundaries are becoming meaningless. The new approaches to collaboration have a different purpose, structures and outcome than those of the past. They are marked by geographic diversities of participants across-industry focus and more flexible structures and continuous value creation. During COVID-19 Pandemic, we have effectively used many digital tools and technologies, like artificial intelligence and mobile phones to trace infections. To better prepare for the future, we can fast develop innovative solutions, especially in Health, Education, Agriculture and Supply Chains.

Now a common enemy – Corona Virus – is challenging our existence. COVID-19 has devastated lives, families, jobs and economies around the world. We need to adopt a collaborative approach to battle with the Pandemic. Hence, a new inter-disciplinary Collaboration Culture is taking root. Scientists, Virologists, Immunologists, Regulators and Industry Executives are working together with the sole purpose of finding solutions and quickest route to manufacture the products.

Why is collaboration an important and effective way to do and how does Science benefit over all? We need to realize the strength in number and the synergy of collaborations. Openness and collaboration are very important for some of the Countries who might lack comprehensive research structures. Deeper issues arising due to the pandemic are slowly emerging as the world relaxes lockdown measures. These issues, especially relating to the convergence of Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering and Information Technology have a long term impact on Geo Politics. In the recent weeks, Doctors, Researchers, Engineers and Scientists from several fields of knowledge around the world worked together to confront the Corona Virus outbreak within an unprecedented spirit of collaboration.

We feel that the pandemic should have a positive impact on our Science & Technology. There should be some positive changes. Thus, SRM University – AP in association with India’s national Newspaper, The Hindu, is organizing the webinar, “Post COVID-19 : Science and Technology” on Friday, 29th May 2020.

The main objectives of the webinar are:
i. To discuss the type of research to be carried out, in view of Industrial Resurgence in the Country and
ii. To discuss possible slowdown of R & D and the strategies, Institutional Collaborative Research in Science and Technology etc.

The webinar will be chaired by Bharat Ratna Prof. CNR Rao, Linus Pauling Research Professor at JNCASR, Bangalore. Prof. Asuthosh Sharma, Secretary to Government of India, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Dr. S. Chandra Sekhar, Director, CSIR – Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad and Dr. Shashi Bala Singh, Director, NIPER, Hyderabad are the invited Speakers. Prof. D. Narayana Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor of SRM University – AP has initiated this webinar and is the moderator and Convener for the Webinar.

If you are yet to register, visit: https://bit.ly/srmapwebinar