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Aug 05, 2025
NIT Calicut Becomes India’s First I-STEM Catalyst Center
The National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) has proudly become India’s first I-STEM Catalyst Center, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s journey towards democratizing access to scientific infrastructure and fostering grassroots innovation.
The announcement was made during I-STEM SAMAVESHA – 11, hosted at NIT Calicut on 5th August 2025.
What is I-STEM?
The Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) is a national initiative under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA), Government of India. It aims to provide equitable access to advanced scientific equipment and resources, encouraging collaboration among academia, industry, startups, and research institutions.
The newly established Catalyst Center at NIT Calicut is envisioned as a regional innovation hub, designed to:
Connect academic institutions, industries, research labs, and startups
Encourage inter-institutional collaboration
Facilitate sharing of scientific resources
Accelerate research and innovation, especially in Tier 3 and Tier 4 regions
Event Highlights
The event was inaugurated by Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut, along with Dr. Harilal Bhaskar, COO and National Coordinator, I-STEM, OPSA, Government of India. Also present were:
Dr. N. Sandhyarani, Dean (Research & Consultancy), NIT Calicut
Ms. Pushpa S., HR Manager, I-STEM
Mr. Narmdeshwar Pandey, SME Manager, I-STEM
Ms. Zeenat Afreen, Marketing Executive, I-STEM
In his address, Prof. Prasad Krishna stated,
“By becoming the first I-STEM Catalyst Center, NIT Calicut is poised to bridge India’s scientific infrastructure divide, drive regional innovation, and empower collaborations between academia, industry, and startups.”
The program witnessed active participation from faculty members and research scholars representing academic institutions from six surrounding districts, reinforcing NITC's role as a catalyst for regional scientific growth and outreach
