Need to remove obstacles in research ecosystem, says PM Modi

NEW DELHI: There will be no dearth of resources for the country's scientific community for their endeavours, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, and stressed the need to identify and remove obstacles in the research ecosystem and focus on localised solutions to global problems in accordance with Indian needs.

The PM made these remarks while chairing the first governing body meeting of the newly-formed Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). It was decided during the meeting to launch a programme in hub-and-spoke mode by pairing universities, in which research is at a nascent stage, with top-tier established institutions to elevate research capabilities in higher education institutions.

At present, less than 1% of the country's 40,000 higher education institutions (HEIs) are engaged in research activities. The hub-and-spoke framework through the 'partnerships for accelerated innovation and research' (PAIR) programme is expected to enable these institutions to systematically enhance their research excellence.

The foundation will also launch programmes on "solution-focused research" in select priority areas such as electric vehicle (EV) mobility, advanced materials, solar cells, smart infrastructure, health & medical technology, sustainable agriculture and photonics.

Modi, during the meeting, talked about developing a dashboard where information related to R&D happening in the country could be easily tracked, and suggested grading of labs, preparing a list of domain experts on the basis of their expertise, and promoting research in various areas including battery ingredients for EVs and lab grown diamonds among others. He also discussed the need for "upgradation and standardisation" of institutions.

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