What is research?
Research means the detailed inquiry or exploration of something so as to know or discover more about it. Research may be related to the physical, biological, chemical or social world. It means putting new questions to a subject that we are already aware of and trying to find answers to those questions. If the answer fits with the questions on the basis of any proof or data investigation and gains approval then it may be presented worldwide.
So, we can simplify research as:
Thinking new ideas about a particular topic and generating questions and then searching for answers to those questions. By finding suitable solutions with proof, we can expose the new knowledge created worldwide.
Thus the overall aim or purpose of research is to develop new knowledge. It is the gift of research that we all are self-sufficient with a vast no. of resources.
Why research is important for colleges?
Research is very important because there is a need to go beyond the knowledge of books because books contain the knowledge given to us by others but there is a need to develop knowledge by us for others. The students should develop a tendency to work towards attaining new and undiscovered knowledge and making it available to others in addition to reading the already discovered knowledge. It glorifies the college and the college site is more visited and the chance of enrollment is increased.
Research is important because it helps to develop policies and practices that can lead to betterment of quality of education and can help in the advancement of knowledge and understanding in a particular area of interest.
Importance of Research in Higher Education.
Research is a driving force for revolution in higher education as it helps in building a bright career, gives a hike to the salary and also strenghthens the CV. It helps in building new technologies and resources. Whatever the resources we have today is due to research only. It can change a developing country into a developed country.
What is the role played by research in the development of India
The importance of research lies far beyond studying and it involves identifying a particular problem thinking about various solutions and then working on them to find certain good and appropriate results. A particular field needs to progress and grow more and more and that is possible if it gains more and more knowledge and that is possible by doing more and more research.
Here are some of the important roles played by research:
1. Research is important for bringing about new findings, understanding the root causes, their impacts on the society etc.
2. Further new studies can be added to the existing studies through research work.
3. Medicinal research is important for new drug discovery and the mechanism of action of new drugs is very important that can be determined by research so that a new mechanistic path for drug action can be obtained. This may lead to some of the important drug preparation to treat certain incurable diseases.
4. A gateway to new career opportunities is opened for the students researching in different fields from several institutes, some of them are the Tata institute of Fundamental Research and institute of Nano Science and Technology
Why Indian higher education is lacking in research?
There are a few reports of why our higher education system lacks in research.
- Poor or insufficient infrastructure.
- Highly qualified faculties are lacking in research.
- Good and intelligent students are not admitted in higher education.
- There is not enough funding available from government
- There is no collaboration between academic and industry for society need-based research.
How Indian research institutes are classified on the basis of departments?
At present the 216 research institutes in India are sub grouped into eight departments on the basis of industry.
- Agricultural Research institutes
- Biological and Medical research institutes
- Chemical Science and research Organizations
- Mathematical and Physical Science
- Earth Research institutions
Different funding agencies of India:
i) Department of Science and Technology (DST)
ii) Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
iii) Â CSIR
iv) Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
v) Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
vi) Department of Space (DoS)
vii) Â Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
viii) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
ix) MeitY
x) Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF& CC)
xi) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
xii) Â Ministry of Education (MoE)
xiii) Technology Development Board (TDB)
xiv) Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
Research activities in Rajasthan
Department of Science and Technology in Rajasthan
Research and development division (Rand D)
Purpose of this division-
To develop the habit and talent of searching and researching in the labs and at the same time financial support is also provided by the department. The project work is held under the guidance of specific teachers of that area.
Students Project Programme:
The applicants of students project programme:
- Students doing graduation or post graduation in Engineering Colleges.
- Students of Polytechnic Colleges
- Graduate/Post Graduate Students of Medical Colleges
- Post Graduate Students of Science/Agriculture Colleges
Project duration and fees
There is a project duration of 1 year with a stipend of Rs 15000/-
Submission of R and D project proposals
Research & Development projects
Currently Associated R&D institutions of State
- Rajasthan University,
- MNIT, Jaipur
- Medical Colleges
- MLS University, Udaipur
- JNV University Jodhpur
- Raj. Agri Univ, Bikaner
- MPUT Agriculture University, Udaipur
- Major S&T Institutions of the State
Who are the applicants? What is the procedure?
- Under this programme R&D projects proposals of mainly the disciplines of Agriculture, Engineering, Biotechnology, Energy, Environment, Health & Hygiene, Life Science,  natural Resource Management, Remote Sensing Techniques etc. are taken into consideration and asked for  by the institutions..
- These application oriented R&D projects are taken into consideration throughout the year.
- The preference is given to those projects which are mainly oriented towards solving problems of current and major issues of the state.
- After preliminary examination, expert advice is taken.
- After the completion of these procedures, these projects are sent to the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) asking for their recommendations. As soon as the EAC committee recommends the project, it is sent to the government asking for the fund.
Project duration-2-3 years.
TECHNOLOGY BASED R&D PROJECTS
Project period is from 6 months to 2 years.
Who can apply?
Scientists who are working in R and D institutions, universities, professional and science colleges, government department and NGOs having strong R and base.
Traditional R&D Projects                                            Â
Objective: building up of traditional sector by blending it with modern stream of science & technology
Period:Â 2-3 years
It is based on the following subjects:
- Safe drinking water
- Health for all
- Gerontology care
- Providing safe cooking, clean energy, solar light and electrification to the rural areas.
- Food security
- Developing skills for urban sector women employment
- Agri products and marketing
- Financial inclusion
- e-Education and innovation hubs
- Technology application in Tourism
- Low cost housing
Research is very important to learn something new, to develop new ideas, strategies and to work accordingly to develop new methods, technologies and uplift our society from a backward stage to a more advanced stage. Whatever resources we use today is a result of research. Research can make a student earn stipend and working under the guidance of teachers can help gain more expertise in a particular field. Guiding a student in research as a mentor can develop leadership qualities. It helps in improving the CV of both the faculty and the student.
Blog By:
Dr. Ritu Sharma Chomal
Assistant Professor
Department of Science