Kolkata: A drastic overhaul of the university system can help India achieve its ambition to be a world leader in science and technology, said experts at the 100th Indian Science Congress.
A drastic overhaul is needed if India wants to lead in science and technology. Urgent action is required to prevent reaching a point of no return, said SC Lakhotia of the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University.
Former Delhi University Vice-Chancellor, Deepak Pental, too, said that youngsters in our universities should be encouraged to start research in the country.
Experts also said that the lack of infrastructure at the school and university levels in our country restrains the students from pursuing science education. “Students need good labs to get the best hands-on training,” said Lakhotia.
Today’s students lack basic knowledge of various science disciplines. They should get broad-based education. If they do a specialised course at the start, they don’t learn the basics of all the disciplines of science. Knowledge should be pyramidal, he added.
Pental also suggested a four-year undergraduate course with overall improvement in mathematical, analytical, computational and language skills. He also highlighted the lack of scholarships and fellowships to researchers.
According to him, freedom of the faculty to run their own research projects will ensure steady work for students.
Teachers should be trained to become good mentors and encourage students to take up teaching, said Lakhotia.
