Dr Nafees Meah, director, Research Counsel UK, India, tells Sangeeta Yadav about UK-India collaboration for research purposes and career prospects in this field
How has 2014 been for the education sectorIJ
There has been an increasing emphasis on skills development, research and innovation. The Government’s priorities like making India clean and ensuring that the Ganges is hygienic and clean all augur well for the future. This is also good news for UK-India research and innovation collaboration. Some of the best universities in the world are in the UK and they are very keen to work in partnership with their Indian counterparts.
Tell us about the Newton-Bhabha collaboration between India and UKIJ
It’s a new initiative intended to strengthen research and innovation partnerships between the UK and key international partners, including India. It was launched by the UK Chancellor in April 2014, and will deliver £375 million of funding over the course of five years. The £50 million has been allocated to the UK-India partnership with matched resources from India to create the Newton-Bhabha fund.
What all programmes does this initiative includeIJ
Earlier this year, we set up a UK-India Task Force on research and innovation to map out future direction of collaboration between our two countries. The Task Force identified three grand challenge areas — sustainable cities and rapid urbanisation, public health and welfare and energy-water-food nexus. It identified two under-pinning capabilities — big data and advanced manufacturing. The Newton-Bhabha fund will take forward initiatives addressing these areas. It will involve exchanging researchers and PhD students, new research programmes and translation activities taking the outputs of research into business, industry and civil society.
How is research as a career option evolving in IndiaIJ
It’s an excellent time to be a researcher in India and the UK. If the Government’s initiative on ‘Make in India’ is to be realised, then many more trained researchers and engineers will be needed. In UK, the Government recently announced, even at a time of austerity, a massive additional investment in research infrastructure. Investment in research and innovation is essential to build a strong economy that can deliver benefits to all.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a researcherIJ
If you want to pursue a career as an academic, then finding a permanent position is always going to be a challenge where ever you are. In most developed and emerging economies it’s been recognised that being at the forefront of science is critical for the National economy. In India, there is going to be a massive expansion of the Higher Education system over the next few years.
What is the remuneration in this fieldIJ
Working in an MNC would attract salaries of around Rs100 lakh annually.
Which are the top research institutes of IndiaIJ
The IITs and some of the Central Universities in India have world class facilities.