Unique research univ for young talent

BANGALORE: Not quite content with allthe premier science institutes that have made Bangalore their home, the stategovernment has sought the central government’s help in setting up anexclusive research university. The rationale: to encourage research and attractstudents to take up study of general science."We want to start acentral university for scientific research, where the minimum qualification willbe a Ph.D. and the maximum age for entry is 28; selection is proposed through anall-India entrance exam. This way, we can ensure that the country’s bestscientific talent is harnessed," science and technology minister Basavaraj SHoratti told the Sunday Times of India. Horatti has written to President AbdulKalam and sought his views and support in this endeavour."Studentsare attracted towards IT and BT lured by salary, perks and travel. Basic scienceresearch can also be made equally attractive. In the proposed university, theselected students should get remuneration on par with professionals in otherfields. Only then can we hope for outstanding achievements," hesaid.Prof. C.N.R. Rao says, "We have a lot to learn from China andSouth Korea in this regard. In Korea, for example, a young scientist taking upresearch gets almost the same salary as the head of the department because thecountry has realised that’s the way to attract and keep scientifictalent."Horatti said the university would have the most modernequipment and students would have access to any kind of resource they would needin the line of their work, including guidance from the best scientific minds.They would have to bother neither about funding nor sustenance of the projectsince the university would take care of it. However, the biggest problem thestate faces is that of financial resources. "It will be impossible for us to doit on our funds. So, we have proposed this to the central government and theUnion science and technology ministry. The state is ready to provide land forthe campus," he said.