The newly inaugurated Amrita–Mizoram Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Hub at Mizoram University marks a significant milestone in bridging science and community welfare in the state. Established by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in collaboration with the university under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the hub provides permanent facilities for laboratories, training, and innovation initiatives tailored for Mizoram’s hilly terrain.
Since its launch two years ago, the hub has impacted over 9,000 residents, with more than 70% of beneficiaries being women, through programs in food processing, bamboo craft, digital literacy, and health awareness. The hub leverages Amrita’s Live-in-Labs® and AMMACHI Labs to introduce frugal, locally adapted technologies such as solar dryers, eco-friendly bamboo machinery, and water purification systems, co-created with local communities.
Dr. Raghu Raman, Dean of Amrita School of Business, emphasized, “This is more than a building; it’s a bridge between science and society.” Mizoram’s Rural Development Minister, Dr. Lalnilawma, called the facility “a turning point for rural innovation” that strengthens women’s participation and sustains livelihoods. The hub’s initiatives have begun influencing regional trade and enterprise. Bamboo craft products, solar-dried produce, and other locally innovated goods are increasingly finding markets, boosting tribal entrepreneurship and creating new opportunities for cross-border trade between Mizoram and Assam.
