Saturday, September 29, 2012

“Reasons for Lack of Adequate Researchers in India” - Professor M.S.Rao



“Research serves to make building stones out of stumbling blocks.” – Arthur D. Little


The recent research revelations about India’s lack of research mindset exposed the chinks in the armor of Indian education. Three popular surveys namely THE-WUR, ARWU and QS unfolds that Indian institutions stood nowhere within the top 200 institutions in the world. It clearly conveys the message that we need to work to make our research stronger to become academically strong and keep in pace with the global academicians.  The surveys create several doubts in the minds of many intellectuals and call for immediate action.  Do Indians lack research mindset? Do Indians lack adequate funding for research? Do Indians lack proper research ambience? The responses may vary but it is a combination of all these reasons.

We Indians often emphasize on quantity, not quality of research.  We are not willing to wait patiently, and we often blame external reasons for our weaknesses. We may also question the surveys as biased.  It is time for introspection. Here are the few probable causes for the present scenario:

Some of the industry rejects join academia as a last resort. Some join academia as a stop gap arrangement. Such faculty cannot deliver the goods effectively.  Only the faculty who join by choice, not by chance will be able to contribute to academia.  And the faculty who are passionate can make a huge difference in the lives of students.  Some institutions don’t treat research as an integral part of teaching which is a retrograde step. In fact, research adds value to teaching, and teaching in turn generates more questions and triggers from students leading to further research. Both research and teaching are two sides of the same coin to excel as successful academicians.

Recently Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee expressed his displeasure as follows: “I feel it necessary to share with you my sense of dismay on seeing, in recent reports, that not a single Indian university or institute of higher learning, including the premier IITs, figure on the list of 200 top-rated universities of the world.  Now you may question the survey, but, to my mind the more important question is: Why? Why are we .. not able to promote our standards to be rated, indisputably, among the top 10 or even top 50 or 100?”

Remember that it is the bad tradesman who blames his tools. Hence, Indian researchers must examine the reasons for the current scenario; develop flair for research; and work in tune with global researchers to catch up with them and to stay compatible and competent.  It adds a great value to their CVs, and to their institutions, and above all, to India.


"This atmosphere of excitement, arising from imaginative consideration, transforms knowledge. A fact is no longer a bare fact: it is invested with all its possibilities. It is no longer a burden on the memory: it is energizing as the poet of our dreams, and as the architect of our purposes. Imagination is not to be divorced from the facts: it is a way of illuminating the facts.” - Alfred North Whitehead



Knowledge Grows When Shared



Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.



© 2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India.  All Rights Reserved.
This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com    This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

“Make Peace to Progress” - Professor M.S.Rao



“Those who fight fire with fire burn their houses down twice as fast.” -  Vietnamese proverb


Some people have the habit of fighting on petty issues, and criticizing petty individuals thus losing pretty opportunities in their lives. They don’t realize that a lot of energy is wasted by thinking about negative individuals.  They often think about others and plan the ways and means to topple them. It is a retrograde step indeed! In fact, when you want to grow in your life, adopt the concept of ‘forgive and forget’ so that you find more time to concentrate on important activities thus providing meaning to your life. You will be elevated taller among others with your kind heart, and also you make quick progress in your life.

We often find some countries fighting against each other on petty issues or on egoistic issues resulting in casualties of precious resources. At times supremacy of a community may lead to declaring war and wasting their precious resources.  Such countries lose not only men, machine, money and material but they lose peace, and create problems for their own people. Hence, whether it is countries or individuals, it is essential to focus on positive things ignoring negative things in order to progress. Hence, develop a mindset of ‘forgive and forget’ and focus on positive aspects to progress, and to make a difference in the lives of others.


"Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." -- Og Mandino



Knowledge Grows When Shared



Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.



Copyright©2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com    This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.