New Delhi: The Department of Health Research-Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) will organise the second edition of S.H.I.N.E. – Science, Health and Innovation for NextGen Explorers, a nationwide school outreach initiative, on August 11 and 12, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for students to “spend one day as a scientist”.
The two-day programme will be hosted across 83 locations nationwide, including ICMR institutes, DHR-Model Rural Health Research Units (MRHRUs), and affiliated field units, providing school students with an opportunity to engage with scientists, explore scientific research, and experience the world of health and innovation firsthand.
The Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, Dr Rajiv Bahl welcomed participating students and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity to interact with scientists, explore research laboratories and experience the world of health and innovation firsthand.
S.H.I.N.E. invites students of Grades 9 to 12 from government and private schools to apply scientific thinking to real-world public health challenge.
Aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the initiative aims to encourage scientific curiosity for public health solutions among young learners. This year, participation is by invitation, with ICMR laboratories inviting nearby government and private schools to take part in the initiative, reaching an expected 30,000 students, a health ministry statement said.
Over the two days, participating students will take part in a range of interactive activities, including guided laboratory tours, research exhibitions, poster walks, video presentations, and live demonstrations of ongoing scientific work.
Students will also have the opportunity to interact directly with ICMR scientists, gaining insight into their research journeys, areas of expertise, and everyday work in public health, the statement said.
By opening the doors of its institutes and rural research units to young students, S.H.I.N.E. seeks to make science tangible and accessible, showing students how research addresses the health challenges facing their own communities and encouraging them to see a future for themselves in scientific enquiry, the statement said.
Through this initiative, ICMR reaffirms its commitment to nurturing scientific temper among India’s youth and to inspiring the next generation of researchers who will contribute to the country’s health and development goals under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, it added.
