The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut has been designated as India’s first I-STEM Catalyst Center, marking a key step in advancing the country’s innovation and self-reliance goals under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The announcement came during SAMAVESHA 11, I-STEM’s flagship outreach event held on August 5–6 at NIT Calicut, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between I-STEM and the institute. I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology and Engineering facilities Map) is supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Dr. Harilal Bhaskar, National Coordinator and COO of I-STEM, said the Catalyst Center model will transform institutions into “living laboratories,” enabling hands-on training, industry collaboration, and community-driven innovation.
Catalyst Centers aim to decentralize access to high-end scientific infrastructure, boost utilization of underused research assets, and foster partnerships between academia, industry, and government.
Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut, noted that the initiative will bridge India’s scientific infrastructure divide, drive innovation, and strengthen academia–industry–startup linkages at the grassroots.
The two-day event featured lab tours, expert sessions, equipment demos, and training on the I-STEM portal. With NIT Calicut now serving as the regional node for Kerala, I-STEM plans to expand the Catalyst Center network nationwide to democratize access to science and accelerate innovation.