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DRDO ready to encourage research in aeronautics

By Our Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE, MARCH 21. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would like to encourage research by educational institutions into frontline areas of aerospace and aeronautics, the Chief Controller of Research and Development, DRDO, Dipankar Banerjee, said here recently.

Mr. Banerjee, who was the chief guest at the `Tech Day' celebrations at the PSG College of Technology, told The Hindu that the DRDO was keen on research in missile technology, life sciences, material sciences, underwater technology, electronics, communication, combat vehicles and armaments.

When funding a project involving major input of resources, the DRDO usually signed a memorandum of understanding with the institution. For example, the organisation had one agreement of this kind with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, in computational fluid dynamics. There were also tie-ups with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, and other institutions.

Research in life sciences included subjects such as agriculture at high altitudes and the physiological necessities of defence personnel who had to adapt to extremes. He said the DRDO also provided research grants through its laboratories, besides supporting basic research. In general, the organisation would define its areas of interest and invite proposals for research.

The Chief Controller said the DRDO wanted research to be carried out only in areas, which were relevant to its own interests, and welcomed even private entities which had the capability and were willing to offer their services. A rigorous `peer review' would be conducted with the help of a number of experts who would carry out an objective and impartial evaluation.

The Managing Trustee, PSG Institutions, V. Rajan, and the Director, Metals Testing and Research Centre of the college, P. C. Angelo, who were also present, said PSG Tech was currently undertaking 11 projects supported by the DRDO, in metallurgy, composites and textiles. One project was on weaving ceramic fibre cloth, which could be used in high temperature applications.

Earlier, in his `Tech Day' address, Mr. Banerjee said the boundaries between various branches of engineering were ``rapidly disappearing''.

Curricula should adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that students became experts in a particular field, but had enough knowledge of related fields in order to communicate effectively with others.

To the question of why India was "so far behind America" in technology, he said, "If you want to bring America to India, you can only copy America. However, by copying, you can never innovate."

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