JNU Lecture "Indian Science at the Crossroads: A Scientist's Perspective" by Prof S. Umapathy, IISc, on 11th April, at SPS

JNU Seminar Series

 (promoting Interdisciplinary perspectives)

 

Indian Science at the Crossroads: A Scientist's Perspective of an Emerging India

by

 Professor S. Umapathy

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

 Venue: SPS Seminar Room, 1^st Floor, School of Physical Sciences, JNU

 Date: Thursday, 11^th April 2013

 Time: 3.00–500 p.m.

Summary of the Talk

India's rapid growth in the post-liberalisation era of the economy has led to a considerable increase in funding for research and education, as well as, to the creation of a number of new educational institutions. But it remains a huge challenge to provide these institutions with the kind of modern high-tech world class infrastructure that would serve the educational and research needs of our population (45% of whom are under the age of 25 years and 70% of whom live in rural areas with limited access to technology) and sustain a vibrant research effort that is of international standards. 

This talk will touch upon scientific and sociological practices in Indian research in the context of a world that is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Issues proposed to cover include the training ofstudents with differing socio-economic backgrounds, diversity in the quality and quantity of manpower and faculty, nationalism and self-reliance in relation to international competitiveness, leadership and management, innovation, and science policy. Some "out-of-the box" solutions to meet the aspirations of a nation attempting to shedits colonial mindset will be addressed.

 

About Speaker

S Umapathy is a J C BOSE fellow professor at the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science and also holds an Honorary Professor position at the Department of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. He is well known for his research work in the inter-disciplinary area of applications of Laser Spectroscopy to physics to medicine. He has received number of awards from Govt. of India, including the Shanthi Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the Swarna Jayanthi Fellowship and Sir C V Raman young Scientist award. He had been a member of the science and technology panel of the National Knowledge Commission, of Government of India. He has varied interests including, sociology of science and science management. Further details are available on http://ipc.iisc.ernet.in/~umalab/

 

For further details contact: Professor V V Krishna 26704461 or Professor Susan Visvanathan 26704428/4408