Jammu: Stressing the need for outcome-driven research and transparent scientific governance, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Babila Rakwal, on Tuesday, said science in Jammu and Kashmir should serve as a tool for public service delivery rather than remain confined to laboratories and academic institutions.
She was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day workshop-cum-interaction programme on Research and Development (R&D) projects at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu.
The workshop brought together nearly 187 principal investigators from universities, technical institutions and research bodies across the Union Territory for a structured review of publicly funded research projects.
The programme marked one of the department’s largest institutional exercises aimed at evaluating, streamlining and reorienting its research support framework across a wide range of disciplines, including agriculture, biotechnology, health sciences, engineering, renewable energy, environmental sciences, climate change and emerging digital technologies.
The inaugural session began with a documentary highlighting the department’s interventions in research promotion, scientific outreach, innovation and clean energy across urban, rural and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. It also featured the release of the Mid-Term Appraisal Report of R&D Projects, launch of an online R&D Project Management Portal and distribution of certificates among beneficiaries under the Science Talent Promotion Scholarship Programme.
Releasing the appraisal report, Rakwal said publicly funded research must undergo periodic and rigorous evaluation to ensure it remains aligned with its objectives and produces tangible outcomes. She said monitoring should not be treated as a mere procedural formality but as an essential component of research governance to ensure accountability, quality and relevance.
Describing the newly launched end-to-end online R&D Project Management Portal as a major administrative reform, she said it would transform the handling of research proposals by enabling digital submission, structured evaluation, real-time tracking and continuous monitoring of projects. This, she said, would help reduce delays, minimise manual intervention and improve transparency in decision-making.
In her address, Rakwal outlined a broader vision for science and technology in Jammu and Kashmir, saying research must directly contribute to improving governance, strengthening public institutions and addressing local challenges. She said science is increasingly becoming part of everyday life through areas such as reliable energy access, improved agricultural practices, efficient public infrastructure and better service delivery.
She said the department’s approach is based on the principle that research must be relevant, collaborative and outcome-oriented. Emphasising practical application, interdisciplinary collaboration and policy relevance, she said the true value of research lies in the impact it creates on the ground rather than in the number of projects sanctioned.
Highlighting the importance of skill development, Rakwal said building a future-ready talent base is essential for sustaining innovation. She said the department is committed to nurturing scientific aptitude at multiple levels, from school education to advanced research, while linking knowledge with employability, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
The Commissioner Secretary also reiterated the department’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. She said scientific interventions must contribute to cleaner energy systems, efficient resource use and ecological balance, particularly in a region with fragile ecosystems and diverse geographical challenges.
Referring to renewable energy initiatives, she said large-scale solarisation of government buildings, promotion of solar agricultural pumps, expansion of solar lighting in rural areas and development of small hydro power projects are helping strengthen energy security, reduce expenditure and support environmental conservation.
On the research and innovation front, she said institutional support is being strengthened through funding of R&D projects, development of scientific infrastructure and expansion of outreach activities. She added that Regional Science Centres, Innovation and Dissemination Centres and Biotechnology Parks are being developed as platforms to support innovation, incubation and dissemination of knowledge.
Rakwal also underlined the need for transparency and a clear roadmap in the selection and monitoring of research projects. She said objective criteria, peer review mechanisms and alignment with priority sectors will guide project approvals to ensure efficient utilisation of public funds and measurable outcomes.
Calling the workshop both an academic and administrative milestone, she said it offered a unique platform for direct interaction between researchers, experts and policymakers. Unlike conventional file-based reviews, she said, the programme allows investigators to present their work, engage with expert panels and receive constructive feedback, thereby improving evaluation quality and strengthening accountability.
Officials said the workshop draws upon a diverse portfolio of department-supported research projects, many of which address practical challenges in agriculture, health, environment, energy, water management, digital systems and climate resilience. These projects, they added, are increasingly focused on generating solutions that can be translated into field-level applications and policy interventions.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks, felicitation of experts associated with third-party evaluation of R&D projects and distribution of scholarship certificates.