Date: Apr 17, 2023
The North-Eastern Hill University, as part of the Youth 20 under G20 organized a meeting of Directors of all the central educational institutes such as EFL University, NEIGHRIMS, NEIAH, ICAR, IIM Shillong etc. in presence of Shri. Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of India to discuss common issues and problems of research and collaboration. The meeting had prominent citizens of Shillong as invited guests. As the discussion centered on problems faced by higher educational institutions in attracting investments for industry-oriented research, participation from wider sections of society was solicited. Accordingly, presence of educational cum business personality Shri B. L. Bajoria attended the dinner cum brainstorming session with Shri. Sanjeev Sanyal and other prominent thinkers and practitioners.
The meeting discussed issues like importance of more funding for research from industries, investors and governments. Shri. Sanyal, being Advisor to PM's Economic Council suggested that research funding as an issue can be taken up at the appropriate bodies. It needs to be examined whether no. of applications for research funding has gone much higher in last few years and what is the success rate. Shri. Sanyal wanted that the idea of funding be based on a more realistic assessment. Prof. Nalin Mehta, Director of NEIGHRIMS highlighted the need for training young researchers on how to pitch a new problem and how to propose a novel solution through research. On a question on basic research, Shri. Sanyal pointed out that funding is no issue and in Social Sciences, the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research has been given good amounts by various relevant Ministries. But according to Shri . Sanyal, not enough workable and implementable ideas were brought out in various fields of basic research. He implored the gathering to take up the problems with grant-making bodies like DST, SERB, DBT, ICSSR and the like.
As the discussion created an ambience of greater collaboration and co-ordination among centrally funded institutions for accomplishing research that can drive growth of India's knowledge economy, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor of NEHU lauded the inspiring discussion stirred by Shri. Sanyal. Prof. P. S. Shukla stated NEHU's plan for building up student and researcher exchanges among institutions in Meghalaya to turn it more attractive for skilling the students in multiple areas of industry, business, agriculture, social sciences and other areas of direct relevance in various professional activities.
The meeting, according to, Prof. P. S. Shukla is the very first step towards regenerating an institutionally integrative approach towards vital research so that together a new paradigm could be constructed for national and international collaboration. Prof. Anand Shankar Dixit, Dean ( R&D) of NEHU also spoke about greater support towards institutions of North-East India in which an integrative initiative in research and funding can overcome present institutional barriers.
The Office of International Affairs of NEHU has decided to play the role of exposing students and researchers of NEHU and Northeast India to global sites and markets.
The meeting ended with the common idea of presenting institutions and universities of Meghalaya and Shillong to avail and create conditions of growth and progress.
2024, North-Eastern Hill University
Designed & developed at Bioinformatics Centre, NEHU
