KIIT-TBI, in collaboration with KIIT – Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster Foundation, BRIC ILS, and Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, successfully hosted the International Conference on Blue Economy on 23rd-24th January 2025.
This monumental event brought together over 700 delegates, including 50 innovative Blue Economy startups, policymakers, thought leaders, bureaucrats, international agencies, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, industries, startups, students, and community organizations, all converging for a common purpose—to establish sustainable Blue Economy-driven stakeholder engagements.
✨ Key Highlights:
🔹 Inauguration by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Smt. Pravati Parida, alongside esteemed dignitaries:
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, GoI
Dr. (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, O/o PSA, GoI
Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS
Prof. (Dr.) Saranjit Singh, VC, KIIT
🔹 Discussions ranged from:
✅ Pressure on Land Resources and Climate Change – Sustainable utilization of ocean resources as a solution.
✅ Deep Ocean Mission – India’s cutting-edge advancements in ocean exploration.
✅ Sagarmala Project – Transforming coastal infrastructure and empowering coastal communities.
✅ Marine Bioinnovations for ‘Vikshit Bharat’ – Leveraging Odisha’s marine ecosystem for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and aquaculture.
🔹 Actionable Steps:
🌐 Awareness sessions on the Blue Economy’s role in sustainable growth.
🤝 Collaboration among government, academia, and industry to drive innovation.
🏗️ Development of a seaweed value chain and marine-based solutions integrated into policy frameworks.