Bodoland University garners prestigious Jury Special Mention Award at India International Science Festival

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KOKRAJHAR: Bodoland University (BU) has achieved a momentous milestone by earning the ‘Jury Special Mention Award’ at the India International Science Festival (IISF), 2024, held at IIT-Guwahati from November 30 to December 3. IISF, is an illustrious platform organized by renowned institutions including DST, CSIR, DBT, ICMR, and DRDO, serves as a beacon of India’s scientific excellence and technological ingenuity, amplifying the vision of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). Various Science and Technology Council of  different  states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Goa, Punjab, Karnataka, Telangana, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram etc also joined the festival where various stakeholder like scientists, bureaucrats, policy makers, institutional leaders, educators, members from industry, people’s representative have participated and interacted to transform  India into a science and technology driven global manufacturing hub and setting goals for Viksit Bharat.

 Bodoland University has set a historic mark amongst top institutes of India at IISF, 2024 in being successful to achieve the Jury Special Mention Award. Prof. B. L Ahuja, Vice Chancellor of BU  encouraged  a team of  12 individuals namely Prof. Sandeep Das (Co-ordinator for IISF, 2024), Dr. Hemen Sharma, Dr. Arvind Kr. Goyal (Joint Coordinator), Dr. Sanjib Baruah, Dr. Hemoprabha Saikia, Dr. Raju Ali, Dr. Hankhray Boro, Mr. Suraj Kumar Singh, Jangila Basumatary, Minisrang Daimary, Dwarika Chouhan, Manash Pratim Barman representing Technology Incubation Centre, Centre for Bamboo Studies, Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry, Botany, Computer Science and Technology of Bodoland University for participation  at IISF, 2024 to showcase unique and innovative technology developed by Bodoland University for making live better and less challenging for marginalized people mostly  through rural technology and skill development targeting job creators and promoting rural India.

Leading a formidable delegation, Prof. Sandeep Das guided a team of 12 eminent members representing Biotechnology, Botany, Computer Science & Technology, Chemistry, and the Centre for Bamboo Studies. The team displayed an unparalleled confluence of research and innovation, epitomized by the groundbreaking AI-based application developed by the department of Computer Science & Technology. This pioneering project was designed to digitally archive and disseminate critical knowledge about medicinal plants traditionally utilized by the Bodo community in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam. The application, with its dual-linguistic capabilities in Bodo and English, underscores BU’s commitment to preserving indigenous heritage while promoting scientific progress and sustainable development.

Among the standout contributions were cutting-edge solutions in rural innovation, including value-added mushroom products, zero-waste technologies, bamboo crafts, vermicomposting, and bio-floc fish culture, which offer sustainable avenues for economic growth and self-reliance. Sustainability was also a focal point, with visionary applications such as hydroponics, aquaculture, bioremediation, and green chemistry interventions addressing ecological challenges and championing environmental stewardship. Additionally, the university’s initiatives in community empowerment have benefited over 10,000 farmers through short-term skill-based training courses, the nurturing of rural startups, and the facilitation of knowledge-sharing platforms, reinforcing BU’s leadership in inclusive societal transformation.

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