Kathua, 24 October (H.S.): The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, is setting up a BioNEST Incubator, funded by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), GoI, at Industrial Biotech Park, Kathua.
Addressing the media during the curtain raiser event of “BioInnovation connect @ Kathua”, which is being held on 27th Oct., Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, told that Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Vice President CSIR, the Chief Guest at the “BioInnovation connect @ Kathua” will formally launch BioNEST Incubator at the Industrial Biotechnology Park, Kathua, on Monday, 27th October, 2025. Several dignitaries, stakeholders, academicians, scientists, policy makers, students & scholars, startups, early-stage entrepreneurs, industry representatives and the members of civil society have been invited to participate in this event, informed Dr. Ahmed.
Giving the detail of the event and the main objectives of the BioNEST Incubation Centre, Dr. Ahmed told that this incubation centre at Biotech Park, Kathua will serve as a robust platform to provide the incubation and skill support to the innovators, youth, agri-entrepreneurs, startups, progressive farmers and scholars from not only from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh but also from neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The incubator will focus on thematic areas including the Agri-Aroma Products, Phytopharmaceuticals, Natural Products, similar bio-based innovations and the job-oriented skill development courses. He appealed the young students, scholars and innovators to come forward to get due benefits from the Biotech Park having varied types of facilities available.
This unique event is expected to have participation from farmers, students, academicians, scientists, policy makers, early-stage entrepreneurs, and other stake holders. It will serve as a catalyst in strengthening and leveraging the bioinnovation of the region, with potential for long-term impact of BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy. The event is being organized by CSIR-IIIM and IIIM-TBI, in association with the Science, Technology & Innovation Council, J&K, featuring the Startup Meet, Skilling development initiatives, expert talks on BioE3 Policy, Entrepreneur development in J&K.
Pertinently, the Industrial Biotech Park (ITBP) at Ghatti, Kathua is North India’s first biotech park, a flagship programme of Union Ministry of Science & Technology, which was closely mentored by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister and Vice President CSIR, CSIR-IIIM is aimed at nurturing bioinnovation and entrepreneurship development in the region. It was jointly funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKST&IC), with CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, serving as the Project Implementing partner.
The event is being organized under the patronage of Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR & Secretary to GoI, DSIR, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, GoI and overall supervision of Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, assisted by his team of HoDs and Scientists including Er. Abdul Rahim, Dr. Asha Chaubey, Dr. Dhiraj Vyas, Dr. Shashank Singh, Dr. Sumit Gandhi, Dr. Naveed Qazi, Dr. Suphla Gupta, Dr. Saurabh Saran, Dr. Raj Kishore, Ajay Kumar, CoFA, Rajesh Gupta, AO and Ram Singh, SPO.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
