Our History
The Research Institute of Science and Technology (RIST) was formally launched on the soil of Manipur on October 4th, 2010, during a function organized by the Manipur Association for the Promotion of Science (MAPS) at Manipur University. At this event, Prof. A. Surjalal Sharma of the University of Maryland, U.S.A., was announced as the founding director. The launch was attended by numerous learned academicians, research scholars, and social workers from the region.
Key dignitaries at the function included Prof. C. Amuba Singh (then Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University) as Chief Guest and Prof. H.N.K. Sarma (Pro Vice-Chancellor) as Guest of Honor. Mr. Utam Laishram, the then Director of DST, Govt. of Manipur, was also in attendance.
RIST was formally registered under the Manipur Societies Registration Act, 1989, on July 28th, 2012, with the registration number 535/M/SR/2012.
Our Mission and Vision
Mission: To engage in research, discovery, and innovation in science and technology.
Vision: RIST strives to advance science and technology through scientific research and exploration. We envision establishing a dynamic centre in Manipur to advance our understanding of nature and explore the power of innovation, with the goal of becoming a world-class institute ensuring a sustainable future for the region, nation, and world.
Our Strategic Goal
Our near-term goal is the establishment of a research institute in Manipur with support from the Government of Manipur and national funding agencies. We aim to follow the path of other premier research institutions in India like TIFR in Mumbai, PRL in Ahmedabad, and IASST in Guwahati during their formative stages.
Currently, our resources are entirely from the contributions of individual benefactors, which has been a limiting factor. To be eligible for funding from national agencies, sponsorship by the state government is required, and we are actively seeking this support from the Government of Manipur.
Our Campus
At present, RIST does not have its own premises. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Manipur University on November 28th, 2019, RIST is permitted to function from the university premises until a permanent arrangement can be made
. We have been allotted Room No. 303 on the 2nd Floor of the old Biotechnology Building, situated between the Chemistry and Physics Departments, as of February 20th, 2020.