The partnership would see the merger of two programmes with a common mission of promoting science - the Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair and CII-DST's "Steer the Big Idea" - into one programme called 'IRIS', the Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science.
"The merger will achieve a higher level of reach across schools, colleges, labs and research institutions in the country," Kapil Sibal, Science and Technology Minister said at the launch of the initiative.
He said different kinds of technologies and solutions were needed in various parts of India. The initiative would become a source of new technologies for the country. IRIS aims to help build scientific temperament and an innovative culture amongst the youth of the country and popularise science and technology in schools, Sibal said.
The initiative is expected to cover over 20 lakh students from over 25000 schools and institutes, Amar Babu, director, sales and marketing (South Asia) Intel said.
N Srinivas, director general of CII, said the initiative would be taken next month. It would provide a platform for the young innovators to interact with Indian industry as well as get recognised at international events.
