Industries to learn from NIIST

Thiruvananthapuram: The outcome of the one-day R&D meet at CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Pappanamcode, was not just 'handshakes' with seven representatives from the industry and formal MoUs signed with two others. At the end of the day, officials from the District Industries Centre, under the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, were keen on conducting a workshop with the institute so that the technical know-how reaches micro-enterprise units.  Assistant district industries officer Gautham Yogeshwar said, "we are thinking of holding awareness sessions for DIC officials, as there are many technologies that could benefit small enterprises."

An enzyme-based fibre extraction technology and various technologies in agriculture sector could be very useful for micro-enterprises. However, the meet did not seem to be designed for a micro-enterprise unit like that of Kudumbashree. "The meet aimed to address the gap between R&D and academics. Especially small and medium- scale industries might not have a big R&D setup. Moreover, established R&D industries will be able to buy new technologies and modify the process," says  institute director A. Ajayaghosh.

Among the companies which came forward for the 'handshake,'  a step before the company would sign a formal agreement with NIIST, were Dow Chemical International Private Limited, Roots Cast Private Limited and Ennaced Group. KMML, Chavara, and Athmic Biotech Private Limited, Kalliyoor, signed the MoU.  
Many a time, industries might not be willing to experiment with a new technology, according to scientists.  If the government was ready to act like a 'shock absorber,'  more industries would come forward. That was a point shared by KSIDC MD M. Beena during the meet's inaugural session - that KSIDC would be ready to bridge the gap.