The Bureau of Indian Standards, Chennai Branch Office, organized a two-day Mentors Training Programme (MTP) for Standards Clubs on 28th and 29th July 2025 at Four Points by Sheraton, Velachery, Chennai. The training, coordinated by the Chennai Branch Office under the Southern Regional Office, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 25 mentors who had not been covered in earlier MTPs and included mentors from newly formed BIS Standards Clubs in various schools and colleges.
The Training programme aims to familiarize the mentors with BIS activities, quality principles, and standardization ecosystem. It equips them to guide students in applying scientific knowledge to quality and standards, draft basic standards, and understand their roles in Standards Clubs. The objective is to foster awareness of consumer needs, industry capabilities and regulatory requirements through meaningful student engagement.
The programme commenced with a Welcome Address by Shri S. D. Dayanand, Scientist-F & Head, BIS Chennai Branch Office, who outlined the vision and objectives behind the Standards Clubs initiative. He emphasized the important role mentors play as facilitators in nurturing quality awareness and encouraging scientific curiosity among students. The values instilled during their formative years can become force multipliers that shape the country’s future. Standardization and quality, when introduced early, can empower them to think critically and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Smt. K. Sasikala, Joint Director (NSS), Directorate of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, praised BIS for this unique initiative that bridges education, science, and industry. She pointed that Children are the foundation of a strong and vibrant nation. Embedding awareness of quality and standards within school education would not only enhance the students’ understanding of real-world systems but also strengthen their preparedness for future careers. She encouraged mentors to view this initiative as a means to ignite the spirit of innovation and social responsibility in students.
The technical sessions across the two days were conducted by senior BIS officials and were designed to be interactive, practical, and mentor-focused:
Shri Muninarayana R, Scientist-E / Director, BIS Chennai introduced the mentors to the overarching role of BIS in India’s quality infrastructure, explained the structure and significance of standards, and elaborated on the objectives and integration of Standards Club activities with school-level events such as science exhibitions and annual functions.
Shri Sreejith Mohan. J, Scientist-D/ Joint Director, BIS Chennai delivered sessions on the national and international standardization landscape, core concepts of quality and standardization, and the relevance of different types of standards in everyday life. He also demonstrated the use of BIS’s digital platforms, including portals and the BIS Care App, offering access to educational resources, published standards, and student engagement tools.
Shri Gowththam B. J., Scientist-D/Joint Director, BIS Chennai led an intensive Standards Writing Workshop, where mentors explored how curriculum subjects could be aligned with practical standards. Through guided activities, they were introduced to the consultative process of developing standards.
Mentors actively participated in the hands-on group work, presentations, and collaborative discussions, gaining clarity on how to nurture quality consciousness in students and inspire them to appreciate the importance of standards in daily life, industry, and governance. Each group worked on drafting sample standards based on assigned themes. The programme concluded with a feedback session and certificate distribution ceremony, acknowledging the mentors for their commitment and active participation.
Through this initiative, BIS reaffirmed its dedication to promoting a culture of quality and scientific temper among school and college students, empowering mentors as key enablers in this journey. The training served as a platform to build capacities, exchange ideas, and align educational practices with the broader goals of nation-building through standardization and innovation.