From innovation to R&D, Goa has a vibrant science scene
Gomantak Times
1. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY (NIO)
At over half-a-century old, the National Institute of Oceanography was founded on January 1, 1966, and undertakes scientific research of special oceanographic features of the Northern Indian Ocean. Headquartered in Goa, the NIO has centres in Kochi, Mumbai and Vizag.
The library of the institute is one of the largest in the country in the field of oceanography, with a collection of over 35,000 books and journals, and several universities have recognized the NIO as a centre for doctoral research.
The organisation has long been involved in major research, and work by NIO scientists helped India become the first country to achieve the status of ‘Pioneer Investor’ from the International Sea Bed Authority in 1987.
Besides developing its main campus at Goa, a major project taken up by the institute was organising the first Indian Expedition to Antarctica in 1981.
NIO holds about 50 patents (see www.nio.org for the list), most of which come from marine biotechnology studies and marine instrumentation.
Lately, countries around the world have been concerned about the transfer of organisms from one port to another through the ballast waters of ships. This transfer often leads to an uncontrolled growth of organisms, alien to the local ecology, which can end up wiping out local fisheries. NIO scientists have played a major role in spreading awareness of this problem in India.
LOCATION: Dona Paula
MORE INFO: nio.org
National Institute of Oceanography
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2. GOA STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (GSCST)
The Goa State Council for Science & Technology (GSCST) was established in 1983, under the administrative control of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Goa.
The GSCST plays a prominent role in the state, and has shouldered a major responsibility in the development of their newly-created Department of Science, Technology & Environment in the state.
The GSCST works towards the following areas: Popularization of Science & Environment Awareness; Water Resource management; Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) awareness, Socio-economic Development; Research, Design & Development.
LOCATION: Saligao
MORE INFO: gscst.goa.gov.in
3. GOA STATE INNOVATION COUNCIL (GSIC)
Currently located at the Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, the Goa State Innovation Council (GSIC) was reconstituted in October 2016, with a mandate to map opportunities for innovation in the state, create an innovative ecosystem and more. Towards this end, Faculty Development Programs (FDP), Women Centric Workshops, STEM education Programs and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) training programs have been organised for the youth, in general, and innovators in particular.
In 2018, a Virtual Innovation Register (VIR) was created in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K), where aspiring innovators can register an idea, and pursue it by filing a patent application and later, for commercialistion of the product/process or Transfer of Technology. Thus far, more than 300 ideas have been registered in the virtual innovation register, indicating that the spirit of innovation is at an all-time high among Goan youth even during pandemic times.
Various initiatives have also been undertaken by the GSIC to motivate youth to brainstorm, which includes the Hackathon Young Innovator Awards, boot camps, workshops and more.
LOCATION: Fatorda
MORE INFO: goastateinnovationcouncil.com
Goa State Innovation Council, Fatorda
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4. GOA SCIENCE CENTRE & PLANETARIUM
Goa Science Centre & Planetarium is a unit of the National Council of Science Museums, functioning under the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, and was developed in collaboration with the Govt of Goa.
The Goa Science Centre & Planetarium was developed as a place of edu-tainment in Science and Technology, aiming to inculcate a scientific temper and bring the excitement of science to the general public. The centre encourages science exploration through hands-on sci-fi exhibits. The exhibits are interactive. Visitors can operate and handle the exhibits and witness exciting science phenomena.
This centre is also a family picnic spot and tourist attraction.
LOCATION: Miramar
VISITING HOURS:
Planetarium Shows: 11.00 am, 1.00 pm, 3.00 pm, 5.00 pm
3D Shows: 10.30 am, 12.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 4.30 pm
ENTRY FEE: Starting from ₹ 25 per head
MORE INFO: sciencecentre.goa.gov.in
Goa Science Centre & Planetarium, Miramar
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