UGC opens centre to aid research work

The first summer school by the networking centre of University Grants Commission was opened in the department of Radiophysics and Electronics of Calcutta University.
UGC had identified the department as a networking centre for Physical Science in February ths year. A grant of Rs 5 crore will be provided by UGC for a period of five years for setting up the centre.
The ministry of human resources development has asked UGC to set up ten such networking centres all over the country to carry out research work in Physical Science, Chemical Science, Life Science, Material Science and Mathematical Science.
The centre will run three-week long summer and winter schools where for research scholars. The centre is expected to organise ten such schools in five years. Training will be conducted for both researchers, faculty members and MTech / MSc students. A close cooperation of research scholars and their mentors will also take place at the networking centres.
Prof Suranjan Das, Vice-Chancellor of CU said much needs to be done in Science and Technology. Around 40 per cent students in the country do not have any access to higher education, Prof. Das said. Drawing a comparison with the scientific and technological advancements made by China, Prof. Das said that in 1980, India had produced 10,000 research papers compared to 600 produced by China. The situation got reversed in 2005, when China produced 73,000 research papers while India could managed only 25,000 research papers. The Vice-Chancellor said that the state has progressed much in IT sector, with a growth rate of 46 per cent, much higher than the national average of 32 per cent.
CU would also start a dual degree course including the syllabi of BTech and Mtech. The course duration will be of four years instead of five years and students will have to take couple of additional courses in the third year.
State IT minister Debesh Das, who inaugurated the centre today, said, such activities are needed for industrial growth.