The department of National Security Studies at the Central University of Jammu organised a distinguished lecture on Science & Technology and International Relations at its temporary academic block, Sainik colony Jammu.
Amb. (Dr.) B.Balakrishnan, a former head of the investment & Technology promotion division of the MEA, while delivering the lecture highlighted the deficiencies in terms of spending for R&D on Science and Technology especially from the corporate sectors or private funding as compared to other developing countries such as China. For instance, India spends around 1% of its GDP for R&D in S&T and largely depends on govt funding rather than private funds.

He stressed that the universities must encourage the mobility of students, scholars and faculty members across the institutions, universities or research institutes which is crucial for R&D. He emphasised the need to commercialisation of research and business innovative and incubation centres in the universities. S&T inputs into the diplomacy and foreign policy making has emerged as important at a time when India is planning to accelerate its economy development and to combat climate change, he said.

Prof. Ashok Aima, who presided over the session, presented the progress that CUJ is making in building R&D infrastructure in the field of science & technology. The university, besides bagging major projects from various institutes, is also focusing on how to translate innovation into start-ups. Although the students are from humble socio-economic backgrounds, the university would strive for providing a world class research environment.

In his special remarks, the guest of honor, Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, the director of IIT Jammu, spoke about how technology is shaping the international order as well as society. There is no doubt that the development in S&T is disruptive and rapid and the IIT Jammu is planning to focus on the potential areas in which there could be significant impact.

Prof. Lokesh Verma presented a formal welcome address and the vote of thanks was given by Dr. J.Jeganaathan, who along with Dr. Neeta and Dr. R.Sudhakar organised the lecture.