SRM-AP Brings UNITES To The Forefront For Global Sustainable Solutions
Share
Seeking to bring global scientists, academia, industry, government, and young researchers onto a common platform to address complex challenges, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, has launched UNITES Global Innovation Society – United Network for Sustainable Development Solutions today in association with Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR), SRM University-AP, will serve as the Founding and Host Institution of the new society, which is envisioned as a sustained platform for collaborative research, innovation, scientific exchange and public engagement. The central philosophy of UNITES is “problems first, disciplines second”, bringing together expertise based on the challenge being addressed rather than limiting collaboration to traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Prof. Sarangam Vijaya Bhaskara Rao, Chairman In-charge, APSCHE and Chief Guest of the Society’s launch highlighted the importance of strengthening the connection between scientific research, higher education and society, emphasising multidisciplinary collaboration to address complex societal challenges.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Achanta Venu Gopal, Director, CSIR–National Physical Laboratory & President, UNITES Global Innovation Society, stressed the need to transform India’s scientific capabilities into practical solutions, calling for greater collaboration among experts across disciplines to develop indigenous technologies and solutions for both local and global challenges.
Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, SRM University-AP said, “Societal problems do not exist in silos, and neither should our solutions. UNITES seeks to break academic boundaries and bring diverse minds together to create meaningful solutions for society.”
Prof. Vijayamohanan Kunjukrishna Pillai, IISER Thiruvananthapuram emphasised the need to equip India’s young scientific talent to tackle emerging global challenges, particularly in areas such as clean energy, water, sustainability and environmental protection, through interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr Kiran Mangalampalli, Associate Professor, CIDR & General Secretary UNITES Global Innovation Society said, “UNITES aims to create a challenge-oriented scientific ecosystem where researchers can find collaborators, emerging technologies can progress towards application, and scientific innovations can ultimately reach society.”
The first major gathering under UNITES, UNITES 2026 – Uniting Interdisciplinary Trends in Emerging Science, announced at the Society’s launch, will be held from December 27–29, 2026, at SRM University-AP, Amaravati, on the theme “Physics at the Interfaces of Matter, Light and Life.” The event will also feature VIGYAN SETU – National Science & Technology Expo, connecting students, teachers and the wider public with scientific research, emerging technologies and hands-on demonstrations. The launch marked the beginning of UNITES Global Innovation Society – United Network for Sustainable Development Solutions and UNITES 2026 – Uniting Interdisciplinary Trends in Emerging Science.
For SRM AP, the establishment of UNITES reflects its commitment to strengthening interdisciplinary global research and contributing to Amaravati’s emergence as a hub for education, research, technology and innovation. As its Founding and Host Institution, the University will support UNITES in building long-term scientific networks and will foster global scientific collaborations and public engagement through joint research, researcher exchanges, scientific lectures, exhibitions, student programmes and hands-on outreach initiatives.
The event was attended by eminent scientists and academicians, including Prof. Chilla Malla Reddy, IIT Hyderabad; Prof. Soma Venugopal Rao, University of Hyderabad; Dr Bhamidipati Ramakrishna, DMRL Hyderabad; Prof. Shobha Shukla, IIT Bombay; Prof. Abha Misra and Prof. Praveen Kumar, IISc Bengaluru; Prof. C V. Tomy, Professor and Dean, SEAS, SRM AP, UNITES Society members- Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Vice-President, Dr Ravva Mahesh Kumar, Joint Secretary; and Dr Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay, Treasurer, among others.
