Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/basic-and-applied-research-must-be-balanced-csir-dg/articleshow/73364890.cms
“A basic research that may not appear useful today could be of paramount importance later. Look at ‘Raman effect’, C V Raman’s pioneering work on scattering of light in 1930. At the time, the importance was purely academic. But it turned out to be a significant tool for analysing the composition of liquids, gases and solids. In 1998, it was designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society in recognition of its significance,” Mande pointed out, adding that striking a balance between conventional and applied research was of particular importance for a country like India.
All India Council for Technical Education chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe, who also addressed the future leaders of scientific institutions, stressed on the importance of social networking to tap into the alumni resource. “In today’s world, one has to realise the importance of social platform and power of networking to connect with the alumni who can provide support in different ways. For any institute to develop, one needs a pool of scientists. The alumni is a key component of this pool. Not only can they bring in resources, they can also provide a dispassionate assessment of the institute by viewing its functioning from a distance,” he said.
“Exchange of knowledge is key to development, not just between institutes in India but between Indian and international institutes,” he added.
The AICTE chairman also urged laboratories to step forward and become centres to incubate students’ ideas as well as motivate and inspire them. “Give students the opportunity to work in laboratories,” he said.
Kolkata: Those who lead scientific institutions must ensure
a balance between basic and applied research, director general of Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) Shekhar C Mande said at an HRD
ministry-driven leadership for academicians programme. The event was attended
by professors of IIT and heads of department of various institutes.
“A basic research that may not appear useful today could be of paramount importance later. Look at ‘Raman effect’, C V Raman’s pioneering work on scattering of light in 1930. At the time, the importance was purely academic. But it turned out to be a significant tool for analysing the composition of liquids, gases and solids. In 1998, it was designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society in recognition of its significance,” Mande pointed out, adding that striking a balance between conventional and applied research was of particular importance for a country like India.
All India Council for Technical Education chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe, who also addressed the future leaders of scientific institutions, stressed on the importance of social networking to tap into the alumni resource. “In today’s world, one has to realise the importance of social platform and power of networking to connect with the alumni who can provide support in different ways. For any institute to develop, one needs a pool of scientists. The alumni is a key component of this pool. Not only can they bring in resources, they can also provide a dispassionate assessment of the institute by viewing its functioning from a distance,” he said.
Networking, Sahasrabudhe said, was also necessary to collaborate with industry,
corporates and other institutes.
“Exchange of knowledge is key to development, not just between institutes in India but between Indian and international institutes,” he added.
The AICTE chairman also urged laboratories to step forward and become centres to incubate students’ ideas as well as motivate and inspire them. “Give students the opportunity to work in laboratories,” he said.
