IIT is a brand that is recognised and acknowledged worldwide. While I am all for setting up premium technology institutions across the country, and I am helping set up one in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, I think calling them IITs will dilute the brand. Let's face it: the six original IITs are way ahead. The new institutes should be created as a separate and strong brand.
A great amount of research work was carried out in IIT, Bombay during your tenure. Did you consciously do that?
Yes. I believe that in order to be counted among the premier institutions of the world, we need to have a lot of quality research. Our scientific papers must be published in international journals. When I took over the directorship in 2000, the PhDs per faculty were 0.19 per cent. Today it is 0.5 per cent. And we are close to achieving the target of two papers published by every faculty member per annum.
Are Indian researchers shying away from pure science because of low remuneration?
Yes, they are shying away . Unless you have good sci ence, you cannot have good technology . It was the discovery of electricity that made so many technological advancements possible. That's why at IIT Bombay, we have many projects on pure sciences.
Looking back, what have been the highs of your stint here?
When I took over, Powai was some isolated place in Mumbai where some people did some academic work. I have tried to establish connectivity between the corporate world and the academics. This creates a win-win situation for both.
Corporates benefit from our research and we from the money they invest in research. Having said that, I must add that despite initial interest, the corporates are slow in loosening their purse strings, barring the Bajaj group that has donated Rs 7 crore so far.
Activating our alumni network has helped me raise funds for IIT Bombay. New chairs are being established and more money is coming in which will help us remunerate our faculty better.
And the lows?
Sometimes the cumbersome procedures in getting new constructions really bogged me down. But I found a way out. I have outsourced it to the department of construction of Atomic Energy department by appointing them as consultants.
Source : Hindustan Times
