Chennai, 13 October: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra J&K is participating in India International Science Festival inaugurated on 13th October by the Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology, of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and of Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan on the campus of Anna University Chennai. Dr. Harsh Vardhan highlighted in his address the govt’s initiatives and financial support for startup India and standup India endeavours. He also called upon Indian scientists and innovators to come up with solution to the problems of rural India, which according to him is a challenge for science. The inaugural session was also elevated by the presence of Sh. K. P. Anbalagan, S&T Minister Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Sh. Abdul Lateef Roshan, Higher Education Minister Republic of Afghanistan and Sh. Yeapesh Osman, S&T Minister, Govt. of Bangladesh. The festival is jointly organized by Ministry of Science & Technology GOI, Ministry of Earth Science, GOI, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Vigyan Bharati, Anna University and Govt. of Tamil Nadu.

Amidst a large congregation of more than 4000 people from academic institutions, research organization, industry and corporate, many non-govt. organizations are also participating. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University has put up its stall and will be displaying during the four days its various research activities, innovation promotion and details about the study opportunities and fellowships offered in all programs. Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain, who was an invited guest in the inaugural session presented a memento to Hon’ble Minister S&T Sh. Harsh Vardhan and also met the SMVDU team of faculty, staff and its alumni from Chennai and congratulated them for their enthusiasm. Dr. Hari Govind Mishra Director DQA, Dr. V.K. Tripathi Dean Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Mr. Samir Vohra Assistant Registrar Academic Affairs are representing SMVDU. Mr. Bhupendra Singh from C-DAC, ACTS Pune is also part of the team. Prof. Pawanesh Abrol, Professor Dept. of Computer Science & IT, University of Jammu and Mr. Nikhil Mishra from Satyabama University also extended his services to the team. The festival will continue till 16th October and the Vice-President of India Sh. M. Venkaiah Naidu will be the chief guest in the valedictory.