Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Mar 25: “Talented Indians go to foreign countries, lured by higher pay and perks offered there. As a result, research work in science and technology in India suffers. There is a need to stop brain drain. For making this happen, we should provide basic infrastructure to science graduates towards conducting their research activities here,” felt vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, T C Shivashankara Murthy.
He was speaking after inaugurating the state level workshop of degree college mathematics teachers organized on Thursday March 24 at Dr Shivaram Karant Auditorium of the university college here.
“As far as the field of education is considered, India is placed third in the world. Still, the literacy rate of the country stands at a dismal 56 percent. During the last 130 years, only three from the country have bagged Nobel prize in technology and science-related research work. During the last five years, only 16 articles by Indian scientists have appeared in international level science and technology periodicals. This can well be compared to 96 from China and 36 from Brazil. It is clear that the Indian students are losing interest in science and technology,” he analyzed.
He feared that the economic situation in the country will be hurt badly if researches do not get conducted here. He wanted effective steps to be taken to attract students towards basic science and technological research. He also noted that research work in universities is not being conducted satisfactorily, and that nearly half of the high schools are not equipped with science laboratories. He also felt that felt that it will be difficult for undertaking researches in basic sciences and technology on a large scale unless additional grants are sanctioned to universities for conducting research work.
Joint director in the department of collegiate education, Prof H R Nataraj Urs, who presided over the programme, laid stress on the roles of the teachers in attracting the students towards mathematics and science. He wanted teachers to put in efforts towards making the subjects interesting and easy for students.
Prof Parameshwar Bhat, Prof A Jayakumar, and Savita were present.