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Several subjects ignored, says expert

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

STRESS ON SCIENCE STUDY: Krishna Kumar, Director of Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Summer School on Basic Sciences in Puducherry on Tuesday.

PUDUCHERRY: Director of Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode Krishna Kumar on Tuesday said several subjects such as geography, history and philosophy had been pushed into the backyard of education but were of great importance for India to globalise outwardly.

Inaugurating the Summer School on Basic Sciences organised by the UGC-Academic Staff College of the Pondicherry University, he said many subjects were a lot more important today when compared to earlier times.

“India can give so many things to the world. Basic sciences and social sciences need an eye opening to the perspectives and challenges of the country,” he said.

With globalisation taking place, he said India was globalising more inwardly than outwardly. “India is increasingly becoming a global market but is not emerging as a global player. Global players are making inroads into the country. We need to take competition head-on or join hands with them. The country should not globalise inwardly but become a global player. You have to gradually begin to reach out,” he said.

Highlighting the challenges faced by the country, Professor Kumar said innovation, which was the application of science and creativity for solving problems of society, was necessary.

“We can import technology and resources but what about qualified manpower. The challenge is how to hold dominance of foreign players in the domestic market. We need innovation for this,” he pointed out.

Speaking on the occasion, Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai S.R. Ramanan said there were insufficient number of young scholars in the national pool of scientists and engineers to replace the highly skilled science and engineering professionals superannuating in the next five to 10 years.

“Energy security may, indeed, be one of the biggest global challenges of the 21st century,” he said. Research on alternative energy could be in the field of renewable energy sources, fuel cells or bio fuels, he added.

Mr. Ramanan said permanent research and development incentive with tax waiver should be given to corporates together with an expanded agenda to include training, research and internship opportunities for young people pursuing degrees in science and engineering.

On disaster management and global warming, he said the Class VIII of Central Board of Secondary Education focuses on preparedness measures to be taken by students and teachers for various hazards, Class IX on mitigation measures and Class X on the role of government and other agencies in disaster management.

Director of Culture and Cultural Relations of Pondicherry University A. Balasubramanian said teachers should encourage students to take up scientific research.

The summer school had 52 participants from across the country and would go on till August 25. Director of UGC Academic Staff College, Pondicherry University S. Hariharan spoke.

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