Aalto University 🇫🇮 Finland | IISER Pune | CSIR - National Physical Laboratory 🇮🇳 | working in ALD | Semiconductor thin film
i read a recent article by Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, where he emphasized the importance of increasing investment and building world-class research institutions. However, it’s essential that these institutions don't merely focus on producing research publications. The current culture of prioritizing publications and percentile rankings should be rethought. Many institutions, despite having the potential for excellence, often fall into the trap of focusing on the volume of research rather than the quality or impact. Researchers and professors find themselves caught in a cycle of publishing papers for career advancement, which can limit creativity and meaningful scientific breakthroughs. A telling example is John Jumper (ceo deep mind) the 37-year-old computer scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry has even less research papers than an average indian university scholar . His success was based on groundbreaking work, not on the number of publications. In contrast, Indian universities place too much emphasis on publication counts, which often stifles innovation and risk-taking. The difference in risk-taking between India and the Western world is also significant. In the West, abundant resources and a lower population pressure create a stable environment conducive to innovation. In India and other parts of the Asian subcontinent, the limited resources in comparison to the large population make it harder to take risks. Nevertheless, India has achieved significant successes in other areas. For example, ISRO has successfully launched satellites for several well-developed European countries, showcasing the nation's growing technological prowess. the Make in India program is gaining momentum, and while there is still a gap in scientific startups, the rise of new ventures shows a promising future for the country. With the right focus on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, India has great potential to make significant strides in the global scientific and technological landscape, may be not for nobel prize but some good scientific reputation. There is a lot of hope for the future of the nation. a nice article to go through credits - Prof. V Ramgopal Rao (director BITS Pilani)
With just 0.6 percent of GDP channelled into research, miracles can not happen. Basic or fundamental research happens in university settings where research is curiosity driven. But look at our universities especially the State universities which provide the majority of skilled manpower to the nation whether it is science, technology or humanities, commerce, social sciences etc etc. The overall situation is pathetic. The central universities or even the so called institutions of national importance are also not world class. There is so much politics in appointments of faculty or vice chancellors. The funding for State universities is sub critical. Most of us do research with a shoestring budget. Therefore, it is futile to expect great things from Indian science.
I think applied research must be separated from academic research. World needs both. More importantly, why are we obsessed with Nobel award and other such as Oscar? Are those the only appreciation that matters ? Those were not even meant for us. Following too much to be a westerner won't help. We can create our own ecosystem.
Also, it is imperative how much we budget for RnD as compared to western countries
Dr Ashok Kumar
2mo
Interesting article. Having worked for more than 32 years at CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee, I can say that the focus has changed now since the 1990s. Earlier, the focus used to be on publications, and slowly it was shifted to patents, copyrights and technologies/products. And this change is appreciable. Also, industries are involved right from the beginning with about 25% of their involvement and in the industry -driven projects, the outcomes are shared equally. India has to increase the focus more on industry -driven or industry -sponsored R&D. Dr. Ashok Kumar. Former Outstanding Scientist CSIR-CBRI
ek doctor ki maut ....this movie is depicted very well about Indian mentality towards the research way back in 1990.
V K Gupta T
2mo
I fully agree with Prof. Rao. This line is very interesting.... "Countries don't invest in science because they are developed; they become developed because they invest in science" The Govt. need its focus to build World Class Institute/University in similar lines to NUS, where the primary motive is Research and Product Development. Such University/Institute can host few thousands of researchers to develop products or processes. If we see elsewhere (not in our country), anything developed or deployed started from an academic institute only. Let's hope the Govt. will take a thought provoking initiative in similar lines. However, Govt. shouldn't expect things to happen overnight and can give a 5-year span for anything to come out in the market.
John Jumper’s Nobel Prize for AlphaFold2 is impressive, but it’s built on years of work by thousands of scientists who contributed atomic structures to the PDB database. To drive more innovation, India needs stronger funding for research and fair, transparent hiring processes for scientists and faculty. Making it faster to get research supplies and equipment would also help scientists make important discoveries and keep talent within the country.
National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF) gives rank to the educational institutions based on the number of papers published in a year. This system is the main reason for generation of more junk papers without any use for the industry or the society. It is high time that NIRF needs to change this assessment system.
Marif Daula
2mo
I am curious to know that how many people from China, Australia, and Korea have won the nobel prize?
Ph.D. Indian Institute of Technology, Patna (Control System)
2moI'm sorry, but I have to say this: the perfect formula for success is to encourage students to produce numerous journal papers in the name of "quality research," hire them based solely on the quantity of their publications, and then deny them access to actual equipment or practical experience. Who needs cutting-edge instruments or hands-on innovation when you can simulate everything, right? It's like a medical doctor practicing surgery on a computer simulation while expecting real-world miracles. Excellence, redefined!