The Central University of Karnataka at Kadaganchi near Kalaburagi.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

The Central University of Karnataka has been selected as Spoke Institute under the prestigious ANRF-PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research) programme, an initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in a major boost to its research capabilities.

The research cluster is led by the University of Hyderabad (UoH), which serves as the hub institution.

“This is a highly competitive grant, with ₹100 crore allocated to each successful cluster,” said Director of the Research and Development Cell at Central University N. Sathyanarayana.

“The PAIR programme is designed to fast-track interdisciplinary research with real-world impact. It pairs emerging institutions with significant potential, like Central University, with established, top-tier research universities such as University of Hyderabad. This mentorship-driven, hub-and-spoke model aims to catalyse transformative research and bridge gaps in capabilities,” he said.

The PAIR team at Central University comprises 16 scientists working across diverse domains, including health sciences, synthetic chemistry, biophysics, traditional medicine, crystallography and health economics. In collaboration with University of Hyderabad and six other institutions, the team will focus on major public health challenges, particularly metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and cancers (MICs). Specific target conditions include diabetes, fatty liver disease, dengue, malaria, breast cancer and blood cancer.

To advance biomedical research, the Central University team will also work closely with hospitals and medical institutions in the Kalyana Karnataka region. The research initiatives at the university will be spearheaded by Mr. Sathyanarayana.

Central University Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana expressed his delight over the university’s inclusion in this high-impact programme. “This initiative is a mission-driven approach that addresses societal needs and will help in developing science-based, accessible healthcare solutions. It will also further enhance the university’s research infrastructure,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the university has shown significant progress in securing research funding in the recent years. “Last year, we received nearly ₹5 crore in extramural grants, including support from the Fund for Improvement of Science & Technology Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) for the Department of Chemistry. This year, the university has again been awarded several major grants from prestigious agencies such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and ANRF, spanning multiple disciplines. These strides will enrich the university’s vibrant research and innovation ecosystem,” he said.

Registrar R.R. Biradar congratulated the faculty and research team for this remarkable achievement.