Hyderabad to host 4th edition of Indian Science Festival in January 2023

HYDERABAD: The India Science Festival will be held in Hyderabad between January 20 and 22, 2023, in collaboration with FAST India and the Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC). The festival will be a culmination of dialogue, exhibition, and celebration of science and technology by individuals and organisations from India and around the world.

Hyderabad was chosen as the festival's host city because of its robust Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem, as well as its vibrant academic and student communities. An MoU was exchanged between FAST India and TSIC to collaborate and organise the fourth edition of the festival.

The fourth edition of the festival, ISF 2023, will be held from January 20 to 22, 2023, at the Hyderabad Public School (HPS) Begumpet. The festival, themed 'Future Is Now,' will look at how current advances and developments in science and technology are shaping our present and future. Prof K VijayRaghavan, a former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government and an internationally recognised scientist, is the Chief Scientific Advisor to ISF 2023.

 IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, said, "We are elated that FAST India has chosen Hyderabad as the destination for the festival. The inclusive ecosystem of science, technology, and innovation in the state makes it an ideal host to not just dialogue on the sector, but also sensitise the students from various demographics with exhibitions and campaigns. The Government of Telangana is happy to support the festival in all the necessary means of action and truly celebrate science in its diverse formats."

The India Science Festival has successfully established itself as the country's largest non-governmental platform for public celebration of science and technology. Over the last three editions, the India Science Festival has attracted over 50,000 attendees, a diverse and stellar lineup of world-class speakers - scientists, researchers, journalists, entrepreneurs, writers, artists, and historians from MIT, Oxford, Harvard, Stanford, AIIMS, NASA, ESA, UCLA, IISc, IISERs, and IITs, among others - and spanned over 185 events that included exciting talks, panel discussions, interactive workshops, demonstrations, live exhibits, fireside chats, games, competitions, and contests.

 Jayant Krishna, CEO of FAST India, stated that his foundation is delighted to enter into a strategic partnership with the Telangana Government through TSIC for the India Science Festival 2023 at the prestigious Hyderabad Public School, which will go a long way in reinforcing the state's brand equity as the leading science and technology destination not only in India but globally. Krishna went on to say that the festival, as India's largest non-governmental science communication platform for public celebration of science and technology, would greatly inspire young minds throughout Telangana and beyond.

Dr. Shanta Thoutam, CIO to the State, said, "TSIC is extremely happy to partner with FAST India in complementing and disseminating the concept of science across India. At TSIC, we always believe that science knowledge serves as the underlying skill for any individual to innovate; thus, it is imperative to dialogue on the same. Through this festival, we would like to continue to implement our State-as-a-Whole approach and ensure students from all the 33 districts take part in celebrating and experiencing science."

Popular science talks, interdisciplinary panel discussions, immersive exhibits, interactive installations, hands-on workshops, policy roundtables, book launches, film screenings, and performances will all be part of the ISF 2023 programme. ISF 2023 will feature experts from a wide range of fields to explore all aspects of science and technology and help connect them to the real world.

Dr. Madhav Deo Saraswat, Principal of Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, stated that his school is thrilled to host the ISF 2023. "As a premier educational institution in the state and country with a 100-year legacy, our school has always endeavoured to promote a culture of excellence in every field," Dr Saraswat added. We extend our support to FAST India and the Telangana Government in their efforts to strengthen and reinforce Hyderabad's position as a top Science and Technology destination in the country and around the world."

The India Science Festival 2023 will be free and open to the public, with the goal of connecting young people and the general public with scientists, engineers, health professionals, innovators, industry professionals, and experts from a variety of fields, as well as bringing together diverse actors in the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem to discuss, collaborate, and advance together.