The initiative brings scientists, academia, industry, government and young researchers onto a common platform to address complex societal challenges.

The society aims to serve as a long term platform for collaborative research, scientific exchange, innovation and public engagement. The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR) at SRM University AP will serve as the founding and host institution.

The initiative is built around the philosophy of "problems first, disciplines second", with the objective of bringing together expertise from different fields based on the challenge being addressed rather than conventional academic disciplines.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Sarangam Vijaya Bhaskara Rao, Chairman In Charge, APSCHE, highlighted the importance of strengthening the link between scientific research, higher education and society. He also stressed the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex societal challenges.

"Societal problems do not exist in silos, and neither should our solutions. UNITES seeks to break academic boundaries and bring diverse minds together to create meaningful solutions for society," said Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SRM University AP.

The society will also focus on nurturing young scientific talent. Prof. Vijayamohanan Kunjukrishna Pillai of IISER Thiruvananthapuram emphasised the need to equip young researchers to address emerging challenges in areas such as clean energy, water, sustainability and environmental protection through interdisciplinary approaches.

As part of the launch, SRM University AP also announced UNITES 2026, Uniting Interdisciplinary Trends in Emerging Science, which will be held from December 27 to 29, 2026, at the university's Amaravati campus.

The inaugural edition will focus on "Physics at the Interfaces of Matter, Light and Life". The three day event will bring together researchers and experts to discuss developments at the intersection of physics and other scientific disciplines.

The event will also feature VIGYAN SETU, National Science & Technology Expo, which will connect students, teachers and the wider public with scientific research, emerging technologies and hands-on demonstrations.

Through UNITES, SRM University AP plans to facilitate joint research, researcher exchanges, scientific lectures, exhibitions, student programmes and hands-on outreach initiatives. The university said the initiative is also aligned with its vision of strengthening global scientific networks and contributing to Amaravati's development as a hub for education, research, technology and innovation.

The launch was attended by scientists and academicians, including Prof. Chilla Malla Reddy of IIT Hyderabad, Prof. Soma Venugopal Rao of the University of Hyderabad, Dr Bhamidipati Ramakrishna of DMRL Hyderabad, Prof. Shobha Shukla of IIT Bombay, and Prof. Abha Misra and Prof. Praveen Kumar of IISc Bengaluru.

UNITES Society members, including Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Vice President; Dr Ravva Mahesh Kumar, Joint Secretary; and Dr Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay, Treasurer, were also present at the launch.