In a move set to redefine the landscape of standardisation in India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has inked a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The collaboration, formalised on July 3, 2024, establishes the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor’ at IISc, aimed at bolstering collaborative efforts in standardisation and conformity assessment.
The MoU marks a significant milestone for BIS, highlighting its strategic initiative to integrate academic excellence into the standards formulation process. By appointing a dedicated chair professorship at IISc, BIS aims to intertwine academic rigor with practical application, ensuring that future professionals are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of national and international standards.
Key Objectives and Collaborative Endeavors
The establishment of the BIS Standardization Chair at IISc is poised to catalyse various collaborative endeavors, including:
- Integration of Standardisation Curricula: Incorporating standardisation topics into academic programs to educate and train future professionals.
- Active Participation in Standardisation Activities: Engaging academia in national and global standardisation efforts through BIS’s technical committees.
- Infrastructure Support for R&D: Facilitating research projects on standardisation and conformity assessment.
- Co-hosting Events: Organising seminars, workshops, and conferences to promote knowledge sharing.
- Knowledge Sharing: Publishing research findings to enrich the field of standardisation.
- Exploring Centres of Excellence: Investigating centres dedicated to standardisation and conformity assessment.
- Laboratory Facilities: Sharing cutting-edge facilities to support research initiatives.
Strategic Importance and Vision
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General of BIS, expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to drive innovation and development in technology-oriented products and services. “The collaboration with IISc will strengthen standards formulation activities by fostering R&D and involving young minds in the standardisation process,” said Tiwari.
Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, echoed these sentiments, affirming the institute’s commitment to advancing standardisation through education and research. “We look forward to actively collaborating with BIS to nurture a generation of professionals well-versed in the critical importance of standards,” said Rangarajan.
A Stepping Stone Towards Safer and More Reliable Products
This collaborative effort between BIS and IISc is expected to yield significant advancements in standardisation and conformity assessment, ultimately enhancing the quality and safety of products and services in India. By embedding standardisation into academic curricula and research frameworks, BIS and IISc aspire to cultivate a new breed of professionals capable of upholding the highest standards in their respective fields.
Continued Expansion of Collaborative Efforts
The MoU with IISc is part of BIS’s broader strategy to collaborate with premier academic institutions across India. Similar agreements have been forged with esteemed institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, and NIT Rourkela, further enriching the standards formulation process through academic expertise and research innovation.
As India continues its trajectory towards technological prowess, partnerships like these are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a future where standards form the bedrock of innovation and reliability.
