Advancing Research Synergies | Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF Visits IIT Ropar

Ropar, 17 October, 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar was honored to host Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Advanced National Research Foundation (ANRF), India, for a landmark visit that underscored the future of interdisciplinary research and innovation in the country.

During his visit, Dr. Shivkumar, along with Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, inaugurated the new office space for the Dynamic Research Ecosystem in Advanced Materials (DREAMS) grant consortium under the Partnerships for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) scheme in the Har Gobind Khorana Building (SAB Building). The PAIR initiative is envisioned as a vibrant platform to catalyze collaborative research in advanced materials at IIT Ropar and across its network of partner institutions in north-west India.
In his address, Dr. Shivkumar shared ANRF’s strategic vision for strengthening India’s research and innovation ecosystem through deep partnerships among academia, industry, government, and philanthropic foundations—aligned with the national mission of Viksit Bharat. He emphasized the importance of fostering high-impact, interdisciplinary research that addresses real-world challenges, drives product development, and accelerates India’s global leadership in science and technology.

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja echoed these sentiments, reaffirming IIT Ropar’s commitment to nurturing collaborative ecosystems and translating research into scalable, impactful solutions. He lauded the establishment of the DREAMS Office as a timely step toward enabling transformative research outcomes.

Dr. Shivkumar also visited key innovation and entrepreneurship hubs at IIT Ropar, including the Technology Business Incubation Facility (TBIF) and AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub), where he interacted with researchers and startups working on frontier technologies. The visit concluded with a tour of the Central Research Facility (CRF), offering a glimpse into IIT Ropar’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and ongoing research excellence.

IIT Ropar remains steadfast in its mission to drive innovation, foster strategic partnerships, and contribute meaningfully to India’s emerging research renaissance by advancing cutting edge scientific discoveries, nurturing interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering young researchers and entrepreneurs, and translating knowledge into technologies that address national priorities and global challenges.