MRSPTU organises Webinar on Science Technology & Innovation Policy-2020

MRSPTU organises Webinar on Science Technology & Innovation Policy-2020

Jasbir Kapoor/ royalpatiala.in/ Bathinda

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda in collaboration with Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) organised Webinar-cum-Consultation Meet on ‘Science Technology & Innovation Policy (STIP)-2020’.

The online webinar was part of “State Consultation – Punjab (Track – III)” to bolster policy framework,  which is part of the process initiated by the Government of India to formulate a new national Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020).

The webinar was aimed to exchange consultations with subject experts for strengthening the policy framework, which provided the platform for the university to collect recommendations, suggestions from the Dean(s), HOD(s), Faculty Members, Research Scholars and other stakeholders for the new State/Government of India (GoI) policy on STIP – 2020.

While thanking PSCST for giving the opportunity to MRSPTU to organise virtual round table discussion on the STIP, the university Dean Research and Development, Dr. Jasbir Singh Hundal steered the discussions and threw light on the main objectives of the webinar. He suggested that the costly characterisation equipment in instrumentation centres and library facilities should be made available to the researchers through sharing basis amongst neighbouring educational institutions.

While inaugurating the webinar, MRSPTU, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Mohan Paul Singh Ishar lauded the initiative and efforts of Central Government and PSCST for wider consultation regarding STIP-2020. He said that the exploratory research to understand, and explain natural phenomena and social behaviour must continue along with efforts directed at understanding the effect of various variables. However, the new STIP-2020 envisages a greater stress on innovation and translation of research.

Prof.  Ishar further said that to inculcate the spirit of innovation efforts must start from the school level along with pedagogical changes. He stressed upon the need for policy measures to increase research intensity in universities and nurture them to attain world-class standards and orient the research towards innovation.  However, Scientists and Researchers must venture out of the confinements of the institutions to interact with society and Industry in order to understand their needs and problems, and efforts should be directed to solve the same through research and innovation, he added.

In order to maximize the use of resources, Prof. Ishar stressed upon the need for a close collaboration among various research institutions through research clusters and sharing of research facilities.   It is also the duty of researchers to build a close relationship with industry for trust building so that Industry can invest in Research & Development activities. At the same time the research which has been carried out in various Universities and institutions must be re-visited in collaboration with industry so as to find out the bright ideas which can be pursued further, leading to invention, he opined.

Dr. Ishar hoped that the new policy with its decentralized manner of formation will reorient STIP in terms of priorities, sectoral focus, the way research is done, and technologies are developed and deployed for larger socio-economic welfare.

Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Executive Director Punjab State Council for Science & Technology also spoke on the various aspects of the STIP-2020.

Prof. (Dr.) Savina Bansal , Dean Academics Affairs, MRSPTU  said that  the new STIP  is  supposed to power India’s growth engine via science and technology.

Dr. Ashish Baldi, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology : Dr. Kawaljit Singh Sandhu,  Head, Food Science & Technology, Dr. Rahul Deshmukh, Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology  and  Dr. Pritpal Singh Bhullar, In-charge, University Business School (UBS) gave      valuable  thoughts, recommendations, and ideas, while participating in the event along with faculty and research scholars. Director IT Enabled Services Dr. Bhupinder Singh and Director Public Relations, Harjinder Sidhu also attended the webinar.

The experts also expressed concern over neglect of research in higher education that has led to very low research intensity. “Majority of our universities end up as teaching institutes where research is given a low priority for lack of funds, “pointed out experts.

At the end, Research Scholars raised their queries, which were well answered by Dr. Hundal, while Dr. R. K. Bakshi, Joint Director, PSCST presented a vote of thanks.

September,1,2020

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