INYAS Mid Year Meeting 2024

INYAS MYM 2024 Report

Report: INYAS Mid-Year Meeting and Technical Symposium 2024

“Empowering Young: Leveraging Science and Technology for Sustainable Development”

Date: 26–28 September 2024
Venue: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata

Celebrating a decade of scientific excellence and outreach, the Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS) convened its Mid-Year Meeting and Technical Symposium 2024 at IISER Kolkata. Themed “Empowering Young: Leveraging Science and Technology for Sustainable Development,” this three-day event brought together dynamic young scientists, global leaders, and regional stakeholders to foster dialogue, promote scientific innovation, and reinforce collaborative partnerships.

Event Highlights

Day 1:
The opening day commenced with a vibrant Inaugural Session, marked by the release of three key INYAS publications:

• Annual Report 2023–24

• Mid-Year Newsletter 2024

• MYM-2024 Brochure

This was followed by powerful discussions in:

• Technical Session 1: Agriculture and the Agri-Food Sector’s Role in Feeding the Globe Sustainably

• Technical Session 2: Advanced Strategies for Climate Action and Sustainable Development

• Panel Discussion: Young Scientists in Science Governance

Day 2:
The second day of the symposium featured four engaging sessions centered on:

• Affordable and Accessible Healthcare

• Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaborations

• Green Energy Technologies

• Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Research

The sessions highlighted real-world applications of science for sustainable living and reinforced the role of young scientists in building inclusive, responsible research ecosystems.

Day 3:
Day 3 culminated in sessions on Novel Materials for a Greener Future, followed by a landmark Satellite Session (S4) titled:
“Role of Neighboring National Young Academies (NYAs) to Build Scientific Temperament among Asian Countries”

This milestone event witnessed participation from:

• Global Young Academy (GYA)

• International Science Council (ISC)

• NYAs of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan

• Early Career Forum of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, New Zealand

Leaders reflected on best practices, regional strengths, and common challenges faced by young scientists, emphasizing the need for a Network of Asian NYAs for impactful regional cooperation.

Key Outcomes & Strategic Insights

• Affirmed the importance of youth-led science diplomacy in Asia-Pacific.

• Identified shared goals such as capacity-building, sustainability, policy engagement, and science outreach.

• GYA and ISC reinforced their commitment to support regional NYA networks and joint programmes.

• Emphasis was placed on resource-efficient virtual collaborations, such as the SARANSH 3MT and Sci-Art events.

The Way Forward

The final session, led by INYAS Chair Prof. Nishant Chakravorty, outlined a future roadmap including:

• Creation of a unified Asian NYA Platform

• Establishment of annual in-person meetings with tangible deliverables

• Initiation of joint research proposals, workshops, and thematic working groups

• Amplification of scientific temperament and policy advocacy across the region

This symposium marked a pivotal moment in INYAS’s journey toward regional integration, scientific leadership, and global impact.