Young Indians can be part of Big Science projects, says Dr K Kasturirangan
Mysuru: Young Indians- undergraduates and postgraduates-should consider themselves lucky because they would get opportunities to carry out research in frontier areas as part of ‘Big Science’ international projects in the next five-ten years, says Dr K. Kasturirangan, former Chairman of ISRO.
This space scientist, who was here to address delegates at the Indian Science Congress, said seven such mega projects would involve an interplay of various disciplines, and participation by Indians would pave the way for discovery of innovative solutions to meet national challenges in areas like healthcare, energy, water, and environment, as well as revitalize Indian universities, and strengthen institutional mechanisms. It would lead to creation of a new cadre of professionals and entrepreneurs capable of design, development and realization of cutting-edge technologies. Besides, the technological spin-offs of such Big Science projects would benefit the indigenous industry, as well as the socio-economic sector, he added. He said their participation in each of these Big Science projects would ensure high visibility in frontier areas of research, and the expertise of Indian educational institutions and industry.
“Indian scientists get an opportunity to work at a competitive level with the most sophisticated systems available globally. And Indian technologies can receive a quantum gain through demands that such projects place, as a part of India’s partnership. And, any mechanism to develop international cooperation and collaboration in Science & Technology could strengthen other elements of relations between India and other nations concerned,” he added.
Nation lacks ecosystem for ‘Make in India’: Experts
The country lacks an ecosystem and skillsets to implement PM’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, but industry and academia would be able to create a system to catalyze invention, innovation and industrialization, according to experts in the aerospace and defence sectors who addressed the 103rd Indian Science Congress on Thursday.
“We have brilliant system designers but not many who can develop technology to succeed in Make in India. We do not need Einsteins. We do not need all IIT graduates. You cannot have only generals, you must have soldiers. So the skillset belongs to the soldiers. The industry and academia can build an ecosystem to invent, innovate and industrialise for the government’s ‘Make in India’ programme, as our human resources have not been skillfully tapped or trained,” Dr V.K. Aatre, former scientific adviser to the defence minister, at a session on ‘Skillset development in engineering manufacture for Make in India’.
Defence expert G Raj Narayan, MD, Radel Advanced Technology Ltd, Bengaluru, said no foreign institution or firm would transfer technology without riders like having IPRs. Colonel (Retd) H S Shankar, chairman & managing director, Alpha Design Technologies Ltd, said skill-based courses must be included in the curriculum of engineering courses at IITs, NITs and other engineering colleges.
Chennai to host Next congress
The curtains came down on the five-day 103rd Indian Science Congress, with 1,000 scientists from across the country including five Nobel laureates visiting the City of Palaces to participate in the sessions. The new President of Indian Science Congress Association, Prof D. Narayan Rao announced that the 104th Congress will be held at SRM University, Chennai from January 3 to January 7, 2017.
Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala said youth should be encouraged, supported and given good opportunities which will go a long way in building the nation.
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