IISER Mohali unveils initiatives ahead of 20th Foundation Day

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The institute has filed over 45 patents and supported more than 40 start-ups through i-RISE.

Chandigarh, September 24

The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali will celebrate its 20th Foundation Day on September 27, announcing new initiatives in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and student support.

Addressing a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club on Thursday, IISER Mohali Director Anil K. Tripathy said the institute has focused on nurturing scientific curiosity, critical thinking and research capabilities while creating opportunities for advanced scientific inquiry.

The institute currently has around 1,800 students enrolled in its BS-MS programme and approximately 500 pursuing PhD studies. Over the past two decades, it has filed more than 45 patents, including seven international patents.

IISER Mohali has also expanded its focus on technology-based entrepreneurship through its Technology Business Incubator, i-RISE. The incubator has supported more than 40 start-ups over the past three years, with around 20 currently being incubated in biotechnology, agritech, healthcare, waste management and Internet of Things sectors.

The institute said i-RISE currently supports 20 women-led technology start-ups, which have collectively filed 12 patents, nine of which have been granted. The incubator has recently secured Rs 3.425 crore in funding for technology commercialisation, start-up support and deep-tech entrepreneurship in the Chandigarh-Punjab region.

Highlighting research achievements, Tripathy said IISER Mohali researchers were contributing to areas including biological sciences, chemistry, physics, quantum technology and climate science.

Among recent projects, researchers have studied insect disease-management mechanisms, developed methods to convert waste plastic into carbon particles, and investigated skyrmions for potential applications in information storage and processing.

The institute is also working on a National Quantum Mission-supported project to develop a multi-node quantum repeater network. A high-resolution weather forecasting system for Punjab, led by Dr Raju Attada, is being developed to provide forecasts at around three-kilometre resolution for up to three days.

IISER Mohali is in advanced discussions with the Asian Development Bank and the Ministry of Education for a Research and Innovation Park focused on healthcare and MedTech.

As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, it will launch a scheme providing financial support to students to translate innovative ideas into practical outcomes through translational research. The Foundation will also inaugurate an Innovation Lab.

The celebrations will begin with an Open House for school students on Saturday, followed by a symposium involving heads of leading regional institutions. Professor Shekhar Mande, President of the Indian National Science Academy, will deliver the Foundation Day Lecture on Sunday.