e. Modify the rigid degree programs (which do not allow flexible choice of subjects and they are not transferable to other institutions based on the number of units completed).
f. IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE like COMPUTERS, LIBRARIES, LABS and MACHINES ETC BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE INDUSTRY. THE CORPORATIONS CAN IN RETURN BE COMPENSATED BY ADVERTISEMENT FOR THEM, CAMPUS RECRUITMENT ETC.
The govt should at least do the following:
a. Increase EXPONENTIALLY the number of schools and colleges in the country.
b. ALLOW PRIVATE SECTOR IN EDUCATION IN A MORE ORGANISED MANNER (not the fits and starts approach they are using now). The private colleges are now owned by politicians and they make sure that others are not allowed to enter the sphere.
c. Allow bachelor's degress in non-traditional, industry oriented programs. Not just the traditional B.SC, B.A, B.E etc.
There is so much to be done, and the Central and State Governments are sitting on their asses and doing nothing. A few thousand MPs and MLAs are playing fool with the prosperity of the nation. They are not accountable to anybody.
Indian education infrastructure is far from sufficient. We do not generate sufficient number of PhDs, and university gradutates. There are not enough universities to feed the massive demand for education. Look at the attrition in the IT industry. Even the graduates produced are not fully marketable. They lack vision and communication skills required in a business environment. It is not their lack of abilities. Our colleges are certificate producing factories. The course curriculumn does not focus on such soft skills such as communication, business environment awareness, team work, leadership skills. Even the English language skills are suspect. The students come out learning theories (I am not even sure about the relevence and accuracy of what they learn).
The colleges should do the following:
a. Invite professionals from the industry on a regular basis to inform and educate the students on the changing business world and its requirements.
b. Provide counselling services in schools and colleges on career development resources and opportunities available.
c. Conduct courses in the development of soft skills like communication, TEAM WORK, leadership etc by doing specific projects and case studies.
d. Offer additional CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS (not tied to the degree programs) which anybody can pay and attend.
e. Modify the rigid degree programs (which do not allow flexible choice of subjects and they are not transferable to other institutions based on the numbe
RE:Education infrasture for R&D
by Sameer Bhagwat on Jul 23, 2007 07:12 AM
Quite useless, education infrastructure is good to have but not essential for R&D. Spending a lot is the only factor that is important. Example Cuba in Medical research.
The author has updated the report with a footnote on India specific solutions, one of which is Penryn processor, Intel's quad-core 45nm design, due sometime in 2008. She has also toned down the title from "Research cannot do ithout India" or somethng like that... Anyway, THe process innovation for 45nm came from the US, the architecture research is done in the US/Israel. So what did the India center do? The author has very conveniently put one line "Intel India Research Centre's role in producing the next generation silicon wafers and smart chipset processors is undeniably high." ... Oh, very convincing argument... because you say so? What exactly is that role? Verification and validation? Timing closure? That's what usually happens in India design centers and this is back-end work, and is in no way research! Nowhere near by a long shot... (Not saying it is easy - way harder than work at TCS/Infy/Satyam etc, but is NOT research).
Groan... Research means doing something that hasnt been done before, that demonstrates a singificant improvement in the state of art. Development is simply making products. Not the same. (BTW, it's a good thing India is finally developing products - or at least contributing.) The other 3 are products - hardly research. I mean look at IBM's TJ Watson research center to see what industrial research is like...
RE:Continuation to
by lax on Jul 22, 2007 09:07 PM
Iam not an expert on R&D, but have interest in Finance/Economics/Investments.
You are right in saying that, India just yet cant be compared to US/Israel etc, but remember that 'Rome was not built in a Day'.
10yrs ago, Indian cos started with the Y2K bug. Slowly & slowly they went up the value-chain. It wont be long, before they will realise that they to get into the premium segment or perish. When that happens, then you will be singing a different tune.
Also note that, the consumer/industry confidence Index, of today is much higher, than what it was 10 yrs ago. People now are more confident than earlier. And confidence is all that matters in every sphere of life.
Plus the fact that, Indians are good in Mathematics & Science & very family oriented, will definitely make India the hub of R&D, if not now, then in the not-too-distant future.
RE:RE:Continuation to
by lax on Jul 22, 2007 09:12 PM
Also note the growing no of Indian cos purchasing companies worldwide, esp in USA.
India now is ranked as the 3rd largest company, which is gobbling up foreing cos.
Dear Max, if you want to make money, start purchasing shares of Indian cos. Also the USD is going to fall to abysmally low level in the near future. So, take my advice & pull out of USD & invest in Indian/chinese companies. This way, it will be a double-whammy for you, since your share price will go up, as also the Indian/Chinese currencies will strenghten vis-a-vis the USD. Already the Indian Rupee is up by 10% since the start of the year, and this is just the start.
RE:Continuation to
by No Nonsense on Jul 22, 2007 07:14 PM
Maximus, YOu know just one bit of Intel R&D and you are behaving as an expert on R&D! Man, India has come a long way when in 1990 nobody wanted to come to India. Now we have many companies (such as GE Plastics) setting up R&D centers in India. They might not be doing pathbreaking research yet but then it is just a matter of time. There is no point in forgetting that when you were born you couldnt brush your teeth or change your diapers! India is in the infancy in R&D and it is just to give her some time.
RE:Continuation to
by Hyderabad Contact on Jul 22, 2007 09:01 PM
Just for an updated GE plastics is already being sold to a Saudi company(SABIC). Hope they wont stop the research.
RE:RE:Continuation to
by ASHOK on Jul 22, 2007 08:38 AM
You are very correct. India need to have all round development in infrastructure sector and good consumer demand. Running Fiat and Ambassador and making Shaktiman trucks for army was no way to come close to developing Ferrari
RE:Continuation to
by ravi on Jul 23, 2007 01:23 PM
Dear Max, I had the experience to work with some of the leading hi tech companies in both BANGALORE and now in Europe. Let me share few things: No R&D project comes to India by the management. Its the performance by the Indian tem that fetches it. Check it with JFWTC, Bangalore. Started as mainly a support center, now entire design, development of some key hi tech products (including some turbines and engines) was done there. And remember those folks need to start from scratch. Unlike, in US, they didn't have the legacy of experience of almost a century.
Israel, China are considered as a friendly country (pl chk the FDI amount in China and India). China gets at least 50 times more. I do agree that they have better infrastructure but its the political relation that dominates the decisions rather than competence.
Now many many R&D companies set up their labs in India. No one will give the key projects to any center, Neither they should. One has to acheive it. Thats what the Indian centers are doing and will definitely continue. Just see the IT. Starting with Y2K where do they stand now! May be if you do little more research you will have a better understanding. Cheers, Ravilochan
india's biggest contribution to the world is zero, and after that too its been zero. well you can take proud, that without zero, comps wouldnt have been functioning. so, all indians, happy now!
by the way, research is little more than a prefix or name you wrote on any piece of paper.
research india needs is about solving prolbelms,problems which we are facing not Americans.Those Americans are using us to solve their problems,of course funding and support is best there but obly if u work on their problems.
Yes buddy, I know it's "cool" to indulge in "India-Bashing"! And I can see that you are one of its members! But relax, be happy in your American home- India has had a tough journey from 1947-till date but I don't think your opinion ever counted! If we were to listen to rancids like you, I am sure we still would have been living in the dark ages. So, chill man, leave us buddy. If you have a lot of time, you must read the book "Inspite Of The Gods"!
RE:To ''Radio''
by Mikkey Moouse on Jul 21, 2007 02:58 PM
THE BEST SCIENTISTS FROM INDIA HAVE LEFT TO AMERICA
only those whose visa has been rejected remain behind
TWO SCIENTISTS FROM INDIA HAVE WON NOBEL PRIZE FOR USA (KHORANA, CHANDRASEKHAR) WHILE ONLY ONE HAS WON NOBEL PRIZE FOR INDIA (C.V.RAMAN) AND THAT TOO IN 1930 BEFORE INDEPENDENCE.
SHOWS CLEARLY INDIAN SCIENTISTS PREFER TO WORK FOR AMERICA BECAUSE MERIT IS RECOGNIZED
RE:To ''Radio''
by Prasad Kulkarni on Jul 21, 2007 05:13 PM
oye choosey (hope u get this word right), y do u have to copy past the same crap everytime whenever there is post related to India's progress. From the last few weeks I am observing u r posting same messages.... try something new or get lost dude
RE:To ''Radio''
by Mikkey Moouse on Jul 21, 2007 02:52 PM
all with merit will be rewarded in america
anyone with merit will always succeed in america, there is no need to pull strings, pay a bribe, know a minister or have an uncle in an powerful position.
america is top in education (70% world top universities), business (300 largest corporations), science (270 nobel prizes), sports (2400 olympic medals)......because MERIT is given the greatest importance.
I have noticed that there are a few people who want to run down India with breathless desperation at any given chance. They mainly comprise of NRI's who migrated because of indigent circumstances at home and now rant and howl viciously against everything Indian, as a defence mechanism against the second-class treatment they receive in their domicile. Right from articles on our Economic growth to the Nuclear deal, they want to run down India! I know it sells in the west to be anti-India and one's popularity can soar if he/she is anti-India, especially coming from a person of Indian origin. Case in example-author Pankaj Mishra! Chill guys, be happy in your American, British etc. domain. And coming to research, well friends, the holy grail of science-The String Theory is very much being researched in India. Many of string theory's most penetrative insights have come from Professor Ashoke Sen of Harish-Chandra Research Institute in Allahabad. He is currently regarded as one of the most brilliant string theorists in the world for his pioneering string-theoretic approach to blackholes and for his idea about the beginning of the universe! So, all you self-appointed critics of India, get back to work and stop spamming your two penny worth of opinion. Thanks, but no thanks-India has very well done without it! Jai Hind!
RE:Stop It!
by Sharad on Jul 22, 2007 03:00 PM
Stop living in the past. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Vast majority of our country lives in poverty. And, that has got to do with the education scene in the country.
RE:Stop It!
by Mikkey Moouse on Jul 21, 2007 02:52 PM
all with merit will be rewarded in america
anyone with merit will always succeed in america, there is no need to pull strings, pay a bribe, know a minister or have an uncle in an powerful position.
america is top in education (70% world top universities), business (300 largest corporations), science (270 nobel prizes), sports (2400 olympic medals)......because MERIT is given the greatest importance.
RE:Stop It!
by ASHOK on Jul 21, 2007 03:15 PM
Rather you should stop bragging. Recognise that indian system has weaknesses in educational system as well as Research centres.
We need to plug the holes. keep your string theory with yourself, we need all round development , including infrastructure for almost anything you can think off - (Minus ) perhaps your STRING THEORY!!.
RE:Stop It!
by Maximus Decimus Meridius on Jul 22, 2007 01:54 AM
Dude, first of all, not everybody leaves for $$. Secondly, why is that relavent? What's the point of this ad hominem rant anyway? Ashoke Sen? Fine - point taken. But for every Ashoke Sen in India, you will find dozens of researchers equal or better than him abroad. There's the undeniable statistic that the last *Indian* to get a nobel prize in sciences was CV Raman (Chandrasekhar Subramaniam/Khorana were in the US). All you did to prove that there is research happening in india is to put up one person's name. How is that supposed to convince me that India is finally doing research? Of course India should do research, but to do that, we need funds and a revamp of the education system. Right now, one swallow does not a summer make. Or perhaps, that wasnt the point of your post anyway... If you'll excuse this ad-hominem attack, perhaps this rant is your defence mechanism, complete with a jai-hind? There's a difference between being patriotic and being blinded by patriotism.
RE:Stop It!
by Sameer Bhagwat on Jul 23, 2007 07:09 AM
Maximus, You seem like a logical person, why then do you compare the research output of india (which spends 1/100th of what western countries spend on research) with that the west. There is some feeling in India that being a research leader or sports leader is a great thing and takes lot of effort. However all it takes is spending a huge amount of cash on R&D. I have looked at this topic for my degree in the US, the conclusion is that any country( rich or poor, good education or bad) that has spent a lot on research has performed well. I looked at socialist france in the 1870-1900 period, Russia (1920-1970), cuba( 1980-2005) and USA(1910-2000). All these countries had widely differing educational,social and economic conditions, but research output nevertheless zoomed when they spent more.
RE:Stop It!
by Maximus Decimus Meridius on Jul 22, 2007 02:05 AM
Oh, and BTW, one small thing: Dr. Ashoke Sen did his PhD at the State University of New York, Stony Brook. His bio-data at http://www.mri.ernet.in/~sen/biodata.html and has spent more time in the US as a researcher before coming back. So, unlike CVRaman, who was a product of the british-indian education system, Ashoke Sen is not. Not taking anything away from the man, but just making the point that the Indian education system is messed up esp at graduate level.
RE:Stop It!
by Kiran on Jul 22, 2007 02:28 AM
Good to know that Dr. Ashoke Sen is an alumnus of Stony Brook University! I have done my MS at SUNY, Stony Brook. The Physics dept. there is among the top in the country, and has also given a Nobel laureate.
