SRM University-AP launches global innovation company to support collaborative research

Eminent scientists and academicians along with management of SRM University-AP unveil the inaugural poster of UNITES Global Innovation Society at a program in Vijayawada on Friday. | Photo credit: GN Rao

SRM University-AP has launched UNITES Global Innovation Society (United Network for Sustainable Development Solutions) in collaboration with Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), which seeks to create a global platform for collaboration between scientists, academics, industry, government and young researchers.

The Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR) at SRM University-AP will serve as the founding and host institution of the society, which aims to promote collaborative research, innovation, scientific exchange and public engagement. The initiative follows a challenge-oriented approach, bringing together relevant disciplines and expertise to address specific problems and develop solutions.

APSCHE Chairman (In-charge) S. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao, at the inauguration ceremony in Vijayawada on Saturday, emphasized the need to strengthen the link between scientific research, higher education and society through multi-disciplinary collaboration.

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory Director and UNITES President Achanta Venu Gopal called for greater collaboration among researchers to translate India’s scientific prowess into practical and indigenous technologies to solve local and global problems.

SRM University-AP Vice Chancellor Ch. Satish Kumar said that complex societal problems cannot be solved by isolated academic disciplines and emphasized the need to bring together different expertise to develop meaningful solutions.

Vijayamohanan K. Pillai of IISER Thiruvananthapuram emphasized the need to prepare young scientists to tackle emerging challenges in areas such as clean energy, water, sustainability and environmental protection.

Associate Professor, CIDR and UNITES Secretary General Kiran Mangalampalli said the society would foster a challenge-oriented scientific ecosystem where researchers could find collaborators, technologies could move towards practical applications and innovation could reach society.

The first major event of the UNITES 2026 initiative – Uniting Interdisciplinary Trends in Emerging Science will be held from December 27 to 29 at SRM University-AP on the theme “Physics at the Interfaces of Matter, Light and Life”.

The event will also feature VIGYAN SETU – National Science & Technology Expo, which aims to connect students, teachers and the public with scientific research, new technologies and hands-on demonstrations.

SRM University-AP said UNITES will strengthen interdisciplinary research networks and contribute to the development of Amaravati as a hub for education, research, technology and innovation.

Eminent scientists and academicians including Chilla Malla Reddy of IIT Hyderabad, S. Venugopal Rao of University of Hyderabad, B. Ramakrishna of DMRL, Hyderabad, Shobha Shukla of IIT Bombay, Abha Misra and Praveen Kumar of IISc Bengaluru, Professor and Dean of UNITEAS-SEAPIT, UNITEAS, CVJ Thapa, Joint Secretary R. Mahesh Kumar and Treasurer Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay, among others, were present.

Published – 19 Sep 2026 20:39 IST