Shillong: The stage is set for the inauguration of the Indian Science Congress on Saturday in Meghalaya capital Shillong by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Rich biodiversity, clean energy generation and the social and technological response to climate change with reference to the northeast would be the key issues of the Congress, being held for the first time in the region.

"The focal theme of the Congress would be 'Science education and attraction of talent for excellence in research'," said Thirumalachari Ramasami, president of the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).

"The 96th session of the ISC would underline both historical perspective and geographical uniqueness as it would have discussion on local action to stimulate Indian science education, look for excellence in research and international cooperation," he told journalists here.

The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) will host the five-day ISC, which has been held annually since 1914.

More than 3,000 delegates, including foreign scientists and some Nobel laureates, are expected to attend the meet.

"The meet assumes great significance as it is for the first time such a big scientific event is being held in the region having a rich culture and biodiversity, besides being an important gene centre globally," said Pramod Tandon, vice-chancellor of NEHU.

"Since 1914, ISCA brought together scientists from India and abroad for mutual interaction thus helping them achieve their common goal of scientific advancement for the good of the society," Tandon told IANS.

A large number of young scientists, engineers and technologists from India and abroad would also gather at the meet.

The other themes of the meet include international cooperation for promotion of excellence in research, national consultation on attraction of talent for research and development public-private partnership (PPP), centre-state dialogue on science education, and societal and technological response to climate change.

"Scientist M.G.K. Menon and 'Father of the Green Revolution' M.S. Swaminathan would deliver lectures on science education with reference to the students in the Northeast and future of Indian agriculture," Tandon said.

Several exclusive pavilions will showcase various achievements and the vision development of north eastern states and their rich culture and heritage.

"The special pavilion 'Edu Vision' is in keeping with the main theme of this year's Congress - Science Education and Attraction of Talent for Excellence in Research," Ramasami said.

The 'Edu-Vision' will also highlight remarkable initiatives undertaken by the human resource development ministry, department of science and technology, department of bio-technology, Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Scientific Industrial Research (DSIR) and Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) towards making quality education accessible to ordinary citizens at an affordable cost.

"This pavilion will provide young scientific talent with unique opportunity to interact with the established scientific fraternity and policy makers in shaping up their future careers," a senior NEHU official said, adding it will also demonstrate the various initiatives of the state governments for promotion of science and technology and higher education in the region.

"This pavilion shall also display the potential of north eastern states in eco and adventure tourism, biodiversity, horticulture, floriculture and handicrafts and it shall give unique opportunity to entrepreneurs and various organisations, their strength and vision," he added. IANS