The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Need for more IITs stressed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 29, 2006
ePaper

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Need for more IITs stressed

Special Correspondent

C.N.R.Rao says research at a standstill

Thiruvananthapuram: The Union Government is preparing a major rejuvenation programme for the universities and research institutions in the country to improve their infrastructure and boost academic performance, chairman, Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, C.N.R.Rao said here on Saturday. He was delivering the Indira Gandhi Memorial Lecture instituted by the University of Kerala.

Mr. Rao said research activities had virtually come to a standstill in Indian univerisities. "Today, our universities contribute less than five per cent of scientific research in the country," he observed. Noting that Indian investment in science was less than one per cent, he said countries such as China, South Korea and Taiwan were spending more in this sector.

"While India produces about 4,000 PhDs every year, China generates 16,000 and Brazil 10,000," he said. Mr. Rao stressed the need to set up new IITs and universities in the country.

Criticising the over-emphasis on the BPO sector, he said it had resulted in a social dilemma. He lamented that professional excellence and career satisfaction had given way to the craze for wealth. "India today faces a serious shortage of engineers and well- trained scientists," he added.

Mr.Rao highlighted the need for the scientific community to reorient itself to face the new challenges posed by globalisation and market forces.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala, M.K.Ramachandran Nair presided over the function.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala