Special Edition January 3-7, 2011 The campus newspaper of SRM University Private Circulation only January 5, 2011 Volume IV Number III Directed research is not a substitute for self-directed basic research, says Chidambaram A Spectrum Reporter “If you want to create wealth for India, you have to enhance development,” remarked Dr. R Chidambaram, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. The top scientist of the country was chairing a high powered panel at a Plenary Session on Academia-Industry interaction at SRM University under the aegis of the 98th Indian Science Congress. Dr. Chidambaram sharing his views on research Dr. Chidambaram argued that in India academic institutions are good in research, companies good in development, but both the sectors need some Quality education needs to boning up as far as delivery was concerned. Against a backdrop of globalisation and increased competitiveness, Indian industries would like spread further and be cheaper to interact with the academia, he added. A person who played a crucial role in both Pokhran I and II (nuclear tests of 1974 and 1998) A Spectrum Reporter government, government-aided capacity addition to a greater extent, and private has created many concerns on quality and later in 2008 with the United States-India Although higher education in India institutions of and equity” he adds going on to list Civilian Nuclear Agreement, Dr. Chidambaram has spread over even undeveloped which nearly several challenges of higher education, took the position that “we are doing much better and underdeveloped areas to an 40 per cent are particularly its accessibility and equity. academia-industry interaction than we think”. government appreciable extent since independence, First, the projected population The important aspect, however, is in looking and the rest are issues of access, equity, and quality in the age group of 18-23 years for at the future road map. The academia-industry private-owned. still continue to cause concern with 2011-12 is 144.287 million making interaction should not only be confined to the The highest the untrammelled population putting access to higher education for all larger industries but also involve small and investment in tremendous pressure on the educational eligible a major issue before the medium enterprises, Dr. Chidambaram maintained. higher education system especially with regard to its policy makers. Second, in terms of is by the private institutions, amounting The former Chairman of the Atomic Energy quality at an affordable price. the Gross Enrollment Ration (GER) to 92%, while the investment from Commission of India and a member of the there are large variations among the Only if this necessity is fulfilled the Government accounts for just Commission of Eminent Scientists of the various categories of population based a host of factors such as improving eight per cent,” Dr. Ponnavaiko has International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. on gender, urban or rural habitation literacy, access, equity and quality can said in an abstract of his paper on Chidambaram maintained that the self-directed and rich and poor. “Due to regional Challenges in Maintaining Quality basic research that the academic institutions be addressed, says Dr. M Ponnavaiko, disparity in economic development Education. are known for should be backed up by directed Provost and Chief Academic Officer and uneven distribution of institutions research focused on specific technologies. But of SRM University. “Emergence of private institutions “Higher education in India comprises in large numbers, while making A P2 A P2 • How to reduce waste - P 2 • M.S.Swaminathan - P 3 • Purandeswari - P 7 2 2010 | Spectrum | Volume IV Number III Lighting up life of Limbless Importance of machine tools stressed Mandakini Ayapilla & Karishma Lodaya Ashish George with high quality machine quality and reliability tools. of current machines. The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of Dr. P Radhakrishnan, “ M a n u f a c t u r i n g “Higher the quality India (ALIMCO), a Government organization under Director, PSG Institute of industries have to be of machine tools used, Advance Studies, talked upgraded,” he added. the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment higher will be growth of about the importance of Prof. P Rama Rao talked prepare artificial limbs, participated in the 98th industry,” he said. Indian Science Congress Science Exhibition. It machine tools industry about the academia- prepares items with stainless steel and aluminum in the industrial growth He suggested taking industry cooperation in alloy and has a record of catering for the needs of of India. He pointed out projects under Public Private the automotive sector 40,000 people annually. the technological flaws Partnership (PPP) mode, with and how Collaborative in the fields of defence international collaborations. Automotive Research The Government of India provides Rs. 42 crores and strategy sectors, He emphasised on the (CAR) programme is as aid to manufacture device whose cost of a piece precision engineering, need of innovation and contributing in the ranges from Rs 3,600 to Rs 4,700 and the cost automotive and sensors, research & development development of R&D for limbs of hands is estimated around Rs 3,800 which can be eliminated support for improving the laboratories. Hectic efforts on to make common man learn... systems. The provost, Dr. Ponnavaiko stressed on the need to re use the waste from one process How to reduce waste for another. He exemplified the case of Anandwan in Warora, Maharashtra Ratnika Sharma and ‘lypholization’ in tanneries, Paryavaran Darshan in 19 Dr. Gautam. where plastic waste was shredded R Krishnan on site bio-remediation for languages for every person to Prof. R.Ramamurthi, ISRO and used as pillow and mattress sewage treatment and use of become aware of. Scientist and chairperson for fillings and for strengthening “Of the total waste that bacteriophages for removal of the session on Environmental bricks and cement. comes out of various materials harmful faecal bacteria. “Establishment of National we use in India, around 27.5 Green Tribunal (Apex court) by Technology: Issues Relating precent goes untreated” said The other measures include the Ministry of Environment and to Waste Minimization and Waste is worthy... Dr. S.P.Gautam, Chairman, setting up of Common Chemical Forest, setting up of National Management, suggested a plan Central Pollution Control Board Recovery Plants (CCRP) in the Environment Monitoring Agency of action to improve the waste W- Worthy (CPCB), New Delhi. paper and pulp industries and and introduction of Third Party management systems in place. A- Augmented usage of waste from distilleries S- System for He enlisted new technological Inspection and Assessment This involves implementing eco in cement kilns, sponge iron T- Transfer of measures initiated by CPCB in System as part of legislative friendly technology, generation furnaces. E- Energy the area of waste management and administrative reforms, of bio gas from medical waste like salt-less preservation of The CPCB has also started a is expected to help manage and setting up of comprehensive Prof. S.P. Gautam hides/skins by a process called weekly TV programme called and minimize waste,” added waste management and recycling Quality education... Academia – Industries A P1 of higher education, this boon has not reached all sections of society,” the senior SRM academic official has maintained. must work in unison “To overcome the deep-rooted problem of social inequity, Rahul Preeth He maintained that in US makes their products a liability successive governments have introduced caste-based reservation and UK, the University system than an asset to industries and in higher education. The caste-based reservation has not only “Indian academics and industry has been practical in leading to industries thus lose faith in deprived better talent coming from non-reserved category of admission in good institutions but also causes brain drain and have been the North Pole and the countries’ sound economic academia, added Mr.Bhargava. performance because of the enduring divisions at heart,” Dr. Ponnavaiko said. South Pole rather than being the To afford pursuit of knowledge, interaction between the players two sides of the same coin”, said there has to be industries in the of industry and the academia. Mr.Subodh Bhargava, Chairman, background taking care of the Besides that, the top league Tata telecommunications, while more mundane practical aspects universities in those countries Directed research ... taking the audience through the of wealth creation. On the other are private universities that private sector perspectives of hand knowledge created as a A P1 indicate a healthy interaction academic Industrial Interaction. practice of academic programme between the two. he quickly cautioned, “Directed research is not a substitute for has produced people who have self-directed basic research.” He touched upon the need for But the institutions in India technical competence and enhancing academic industrial are starved of scholars who more can also find solutions. This In his brief opening remarks he spoke of the importance of interactions. He said that Academia often find careers in industry aspect has benefited industries University Research Parks. “This is an important aspect of and industries are two sides more lucrative. Certificates enhancing academia-industry interactions,” he said. significantly, enabling it to re- of a coin; the coin being the being doled out for money by engineer itself, to more efficient Introducing the Chair of the session and the topic the Director economy. “unscrupulous” institutions and great wealth creation. of Research at SRM University, Dr. Narayana Rao said that this meeting was conceptualised by Dr. Chidambaram. “We are fully Edited and Published by : The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Faculty of Science and Humanities, aware that there is a great need and scope for academia-industry SRM University, Kattankulathur, Kancheepuram Dist., Tamil Nadu. Ph : 044-27452270. Printed at : SRM Publications (P) Ltd., interactions,” Dr.