CSIR turns 67, thinks about rebranding

New Delhi, Sep 26 (PTI) As it turned 67, the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is actively
considering rebranding itself like the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT)s, underlining its strong focus on research.

As a first step in that direction, moves are afoot to
start an Academy of Science and Industrial Research to
leverage the vast research in diverse areas in each of its 37
laboratories.

The Academy will provide a new platform to CSIR to help
promote itself as a new brand like the IITs, Science and
Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan said, addressing a
function to mark the 67th Foundation Day of CSIR.

Chavan said he had interacted with all directors of its
37 laboratories, a meeting which had generated "many
interesting ideas" in this regard.

CSIR was established in 1942 at a time when funds for
research were scarce and the activity had to be supported by
the government, Chavan said.

Currently, it has over 4,600 scientists, 8,000 scientific
and technical support personnel on its rolls as also 7,000
research students.

Chavan underlined that it was for the CSIR to pursue
research relevant for the country as "we cannot look towards
the west to solve our problems." PTI