BHU Vice-Chancellor Calls for Research Incubation to Drive Societal Impact
In a significant address at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi on Thursday urged researchers to focus on incubating their scientific work into market-ready products. He stressed that research achieves its true value only when it creates visible and long-term societal impact, moving beyond mere academic exercises.
International Conference on Animal Biology Inaugurated
Prof Chaturvedi was speaking at the inaugural session of the three-day international conference on Animal Biology: Challenges and Opportunities (ICAB-2026). The event is organised by the Zoology department of the Institute of Science in collaboration with the Zoological Society of Kolkata. He highlighted that such conferences play a crucial role in breaking disciplinary boundaries within zoology and fostering collaboration with allied fields like veterinary sciences, medical sciences, and environmental sciences.
The Vice-Chancellor underlined that basic science should not be viewed merely as an intellectual pursuit or a means of academic self-glorification. Instead, he described it as a powerful instrument to generate meaningful outcomes for society. Drawing attention to the growing importance of incubation in academic life, Prof Chaturvedi pointed to the vibrant incubation centre on the BHU campus as a key resource.
Emphasis on Market Potential and Applicability
Prof Chaturvedi urged faculty members and researchers to remain conscious of the market potential and applicability of the science they pursue. He added that translating research into usable products would make it more impactful and rewarding, ensuring that scientific advancements directly benefit communities.
Prof Sumit Homechaudhuri, president of the Zoological Society of Kolkata, also addressed the gathering. He emphasised the importance of academic collaboration, scientific interaction, and innovation in advancing zoological sciences. Prof Homechaudhuri noted that the conference is part of the society's long tradition of organising academic programmes in collaboration with leading institutions such as:
- University of Calcutta
- University of Madras
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Visva-Bharati
- Banaras Hindu University
Encouraging young scholars, Prof Homechaudhuri advised them to actively engage with senior scientists, learn from their experience, and blend youthful innovation with scientific ethics and integrity to strengthen the discipline.
BHU's Growing Stature in Basic Sciences Highlighted
Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof Rajesh Kumar Shrivastava, highlighted the growing stature of basic sciences at BHU. He stated that life sciences at the university, including botany and zoology, are now ranked among the top institutions in India and Asia. This achievement reflects sustained academic efforts and research excellence, positioning BHU as a leader in scientific education and innovation.
Zoology Head of Department, Prof Arvind Kumar Singh, outlined the academic and research activities of the department. He said the conference would provide a valuable platform for scientists, researchers, and students to deliberate on emerging challenges and opportunities in diverse areas of animal biology. This collaborative effort aims to drive forward the field through shared knowledge and innovative solutions.
