Advancing Accessibility: I-STEM Portal Linking Researchers to Resources

Varnitha, a PhD scholar at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, while conducting research on nano-drugs, faced a daunting challenge. The immediate requirement of an exclusive lab facility to conduct in-vivo testing left her in a bind. Ms. Nalini, a researcher at Pune Pagan Institute of Scientific Research, found herself in a similar situation due to an immediate requirement of state-of-the-art research equipment to conduct her research. This narrative resonates with countless scholars and researchers, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, their potential challenged due to limited access to world-class research facilities, infrastructure and vital equipment.

Recognising this critical issue, OPSA launched the Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities Map, known as I-STEM. This web portal, set up at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc, Bengaluru, connects researchers with laboratory facilities at publicly funded R&D institutions. Launched in 2020 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru, I-STEM serves as a gateway for researchers to locate the specific facilities crucial to their research, ensuring accessibility by enabling them to find the nearest or soonest available resources.

The I-STEM portal is designed to bridge the gap between researchers and advanced research infrastructure. Its primary objective is to democratize access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and facilities, regardless of geographical location or institutional affiliation. This not only promotes accessibility but also saves public funds and institutions from the financial burden of acquiring costly equipment that already exists in the country using government money.

Furthermore, it encourages resource sharing nationwide, enabling Tier-II and Tier-III institutions in towns and cities to grant their researchers access to cutting-edge resources available in top-tier institutions. This is facilitated through an online national network called the R&D Infrastructure Map, which lists all scientific and technical research facilities funded by the Government of India and installed in academic and R&D institutions.

These facilities align with India's broader objectives of fostering innovation, promoting scientific excellence, and making researchers self-reliant in accessing world-class research equipment.

Key Features of I-STEM Portal

• Comprehensive Facility Database: I-STEM houses an extensive database of research facilities and equipment across India, currently listing over 27,000 analytical equipment/R&D facilities from more than 2300 institutions. Researchers can easily search for specific equipment or facilities, view detailed descriptions, and identify their availability.

• Streamlined Access Request: The portal simplifies the process of requesting access to research facilities. Researchers can submit online requests, which are then reviewed by facility managers for approval. I-STEM has the facility for users to book equipment with the help of the booking calendar.

• Transparency: I-STEM provides transparent information on facility availability, usage policies, and associated costs, enabling informed decisions. The payments on I-STEM portal are enabled through BillDesk, which is a leading Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit in the Bharat Bill Payment System.

• User-Friendly Interface: The portal's user-friendly design caters to diverse users, including students, academicians, and industry professionals.

Fostering Inclusion and Accessibility

I-STEM's impact on enhancing inclusion and accessibility in the Indian science, technology, and innovation landscape cannot be undermined. By eliminating barriers to access, it has empowered researchers from all walks of life, including those in remote regions or with limited financial resources. This has several profound effects:

• Geographical Inclusivity: Researchers from remote areas no longer need to relocate to access advanced equipment in major cities. Ms. Nalini’s experience shared ahead exemplifies the same.
• Fostering Interdisciplinary Research: The portal encourages interdisciplinary collaborations by connecting researchers with diverse expertise to each other and fostering innovation. Ms Roobala, a Scientific Officer at Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility, NIT Trichy speaks about her experience interacting with like-minded researchers she came across through the I-STEM portal.
• Empowering Women: The I-STEM portal is making strides in promoting gender diversity and inclusion in research. Women in Engineering, Science & Technology (WEST) face various challenges such as unequal opportunities stemming from gender biases, financial constraints, and many other socio-economic vices. The I-STEM portal has launched a slew of initiatives to close such gender gaps. These include offering skill development programmes, access to R&D resources, and opportunities to speak on a global platform to scientifically-inclined young women. It also seeks to establish a digital consortium for discussing and resolving regional issues while involving local scientists and researchers. Now, let’s hear Ms. Varnitha recount her experience of the I-STEM portal below:

The I-STEM portal has not only helped the researchers but has also been beneficial to government research institutes and agencies that have invested huge funds to procure and set up world-class facilities and infrastructure which at times go underutilised, resulting in wastage of valuable resources. Resource sharing facilitated by the I-STEM portal has ensured optimal utilisation of publicly-funded R&D infrastructure while also ensuring that researchers can conduct their research on time. The below-mentioned statistics showcase how the I-STEM portal has been transforming the lives of countless researchers:

The I-STEM portal epitomises OPSA’s commitment to promoting inclusion and accessibility among India’s scientific community. By providing researchers with ease of access to world-class research equipment and facilities, regardless of their location, I-STEM is catalyzing a scientific movement that transcends geographical and socio-economic boundaries.

(This article is written by Sanchita Jain, Communications Specialist, OPSA)