Prof Ravinder Chadha
Conferences are an essential part of the educational curriculum to revitalize the community to move ahead vigorously to achieve its cherished goals. These are held in order to promote joint collaboration through which inspired minds get catalyzed with positive energies and develop positive approach to contribute something significant for the cause of the society and nation.
Some universities get the distinction of organizing conferences to bridge the gap of communication and interaction between researchers here and abroad, while some other universities steal the show by wonderful performances of their scientists who have worked on myriad problems facing the society to improve the lives of individuals.
Time has come to deliver and make our research result oriented for the benefit of the society, or else we will, forever, be trapped in the prism of redundancy and obsoleteness. If credible research is not carried out in our universities, it will tarnish the image of our scientists. Therefore, the quality and utility of research should be our primary concern which needs to be focussed upon and taken care of immediately. Better we should concentrate more on applied research rather than continuing with the basic research. Basic research can get you a Ph.D Degree, but cannot fulfill the aspirations and expectations of a common man, who deserves maximum benefits of the research to lead a comfortable life.
The Universities of Jammu & Kashmir are gearing up to hold conferences of international scientists. It is a commendable venture which will provide a common platform to the scientific fraternity of the world to facilitate exchange of ideas. It will prove to be great opportunity for the creative minds to become more innovative and imaginative. However, it is a common saying that a research problem starts from USA after sometime it reaches Delhi and by the time it reach J&K, it gets obsolete in USA. To negate this saying, the scientists of this region are required to channelize all their resources and energies in the direction of becoming trend setters by reviving their innovative spirits and working on the original problems benefitting the common man. This will not only boost the image of our universities but the real purpose of organizing these conferences would also be achieved.
As per media reports, more than three meetings of concerned principals, vice- chancellors, pro-chancellor were held under the chairmanship of Chancellor N.N. Vohra probably to take stock of arrangements and facilities to be provided to the participating guests, in the conference. Besides organizational part, certain other issues are required to be addressed for the grand success of the conferences. In this regard I would like to put forward a few suggestions:
* Participation of non-qualified researchers, who have contributed in the field of science and technology through their innovative capacities at the national level, should also be invited to participate in the conferences.
* Handsome prize money should be awarded to the scientists for their outstanding contributions. Simultaneously, they deserve extensive coverage in print as well as electronic media as their contributions are more less than those of Dhoni and Amitabh of our country.
* Memorandum of understanding can be reached with the outstanding universities, both at National and International level, as research is a global pursuit, benefitting, the global community.
* Resolution must be prepared requesting the Central Government to step up its investment in research and development in order to build an advanced twenty first century nation, while admirable in its intentions, the goal falls short. Currently, a mere 0.25% of India’s GDP is spent on research and development. Israel, for example spends 6% of its G.D.P on scientific research while Sweden and Switzerland spends 4% and China spends approximately 2% on research. To develop a strong economy, India needs sustainable pipeline to scientific research. It is imperative on the part of the Government to make strong investment in research.
If all steps are taken in the right earnest, these will definitely increase the quest of minds of our scholars and help them redefine their approach towards research. The policy makers must frame policies in such a way that investment made in research leads India to strengthen its economy for the prosperity of common man. This can only be possible when accountability and regulation of investment are ensured periodically to check its plundering by some so called scientists in the universities.
(The author is former H.O.D Deptt of Chemistry G.C.W Prade)
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