CSIR-NIIST to Have Centres of Excellence in Ayurveda, Performance Chemicals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
In a major step towards the global outreach of Ayurveda backed by scientific validation and standardisation, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh will lay the foundation for the Centre of Excellence in Ayurveda Research at the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) here on October 17, as one of the milestone projects to mark the Golden Jubilee of the premier institute.

Dr Singh will also lay the foundation for the Centre of Excellence in Performance Chemicals and Sustainable Polymers for Industrial Application while inaugurating the year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations on the CSIR-NIIST campus at Pappanamcode in the city at 3 pm.

The Centre of Excellence in Ayurveda Research is envisaged as a premier facility for scientific validation, standardisation and global promotion of Ayurvedic products, making them compliant with international quality, safety and efficacy standards, considering the worldwide acceptance of the holistic Indian system of wellness.

The centre will leverage advanced R&D methods and tools to ensure that Ayurvedic formulations meet the needs of both modern wellness paradigms and global healthcare systems.

“With the growing global acceptance of Ayurveda, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of Ayurvedic medicines is vital. The need for validation of Ayurvedic drugs is critical to align them with international standards. The new Centre aims to address this challenge,” said CSIR-NIIST, Director Dr C Anandharamakrishnan.

The facility will support Ayush enterprises, including MSMEs, to strengthen their product portfolios, particularly in Ayurveda, at a time when the global wellness industry is projected to grow exponentially. Many of these enterprises are now unable to independently invest in large scale research and quality testing facilities, which will be addressed by the upcoming centre.

This initiative will help position Kerala as a global hub for high-quality Ayurvedic products.

The Centre of Excellence in Performance Chemicals and Sustainable Polymers for Industrial Application aligns with India’s goal of becoming world’s third largest economy by 2030, focusing on the need to strengthen Research & Development to reduce the dependence on imports by fostering domestic production in chemical and polymer sectors.

Performance chemicals are critical in the development of optoelectronic devices and energy technologies, driving innovations that enhance functionality, efficiency, and self-reliance in these contemporary areas of interest.

CSIR-NIIST has a four-decade long expertise in chemicals and polymers for multifarious applications, with a thorough knowledge-base.To start with, the centre coming up on the campus will have a team of over 13 scientists, led by Dr. Anandharamakrishnan.

A conclave on “Ayurveda for Today and Tomorrow: Bridging Tradition and Innovation,” has also been planned on the occasion.

The conclave will bring together Ayurvedic experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss its global relevance, the scientific approach to validating its practices, and its integration into modern wellness paradigms.

The key topics to be deliberated will include “Ayurveda for today and tomorrow: Bridging tradition and innovation”, “scientific validation for global outreach” and “Ayur Ahara-the science of Ayurvedic nutrition.”