On July 3, 2024, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, formalized a pivotal collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement marks the inception of the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor’ at IISc, aimed at enhancing standardization practices in India through a robust academic partnership.
Objectives of the BIS Standardization Chair Professor
The BIS Standardization Chair Professor initiative is designed to establish a dynamic and collaborative relationship between BIS and IISc. The primary objectives include:
- Promoting Standardization Education: Integrating standardization topics into academic curricula to educate future professionals on the significance and application of standards.
- Encouraging Academic Participation: Involving academia in national and international standardization activities by engaging with BIS’s technical committees.
- Supporting Research and Development: Providing infrastructure and resources for research projects related to standardization and conformity assessment.
- Organizing Events: Co-hosting seminars, conferences, and workshops to foster knowledge sharing and professional development in standardization.
- Publishing Research: Disseminating research findings to advance the field of standardization and conformity assessment.
- Exploring Centres of Excellence: Evaluating the establishment of dedicated Centres of Excellence for standardization, testing, and assessment.
- Sharing Laboratory Facilities: Utilizing advanced laboratory facilities to support research and testing initiatives.
Impact on Standardization Efforts
The establishment of this Chair Professor role is expected to catalyze various collaborative endeavors, including:
- Integration of Standardization Curricula: Educating students on the importance of standards and their practical applications.
- Active Participation in Standardization: Engaging academic experts in BIS’s standardization activities.
- Enhanced R&D Infrastructure: Providing essential resources for research in standardization.
- Event Co-hosting: Promoting professional development through organized events.
- Knowledge Dissemination: Sharing research outcomes to contribute to the body of knowledge in the field.
This initiative is part of BIS’s broader strategy to collaborate with premier academic institutions across India. Similar MoUs have been signed with institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, and NIT Rourkela, among others. These collaborations are designed to enhance the standardization process by incorporating academic expertise and fostering research and innovation.
Statements from Key Figures
Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General of BIS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its potential to enhance standards formulation activities. “The MoU between IISc and BIS will significantly strengthen our standardization efforts by facilitating R&D projects and involving young professionals in the process,” he stated.
Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to the initiative. He emphasized IISc’s dedication to advancing standardization through collaborative research and education.
Future Prospects
The collaboration between BIS and IISc is poised to make substantial advancements in standardization and conformity assessment. By embedding standardization into academic and research frameworks, the partnership aims to cultivate a new generation of professionals adept in the critical importance of standards. This effort is expected to contribute to the development of safer, more reliable products and services in India.
This MoU signifies a forward-thinking approach to integrating academic insight with practical standardization efforts, ultimately advancing India’s position in global standardization practices.