In their capacity as Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, the Governor and the Chief Minister announced in the Kashmir University Council meeting that a seed capital of fifty lakh rupees each would be provided to the Universities of Kashmir and Jammu for superior research work. Although the amount of seed money committed is very modest by any means, yet the spirit behind it is of much significance. A university is regarded the fountain head of research work because it provides the basic infrastructure of advanced research and learning. The Governor (and Chancellor) is right in expecting the university to focus attention on such branches of research as would help State’s economic growth and also would provide chances of employment to larger numbers of unemployed youth. In fact identification of such branches of learning and their need-based orientation is not necessarily or exclusively university specific. There are other research institutions in the country that are equally equipped to conduct exclusive research on some of the fundamental requirements of a civil society. However the essential role of the university is to prepare the cadres of students for specialization in various important fields. It is up to individual talent and the infrastructural support from the Government that will determine proper exposure for research oriented faculty.
Experience has shown that our student community has more than sufficient talent. What is needed is its proper exposure and proper utilization in the interests of the nation. It is encouraging to note that the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor both are deeply interested in seeing that the two universities develop into prime institutions of study and research in the country. Funds should not come in the way because the society would not want research to be halted for want of funds. It is prepared to contribute liberally knowing that the investment is worthwhile. The student community should be thankful to the authorities which have a vision and a message for them. Such institutions of excellence are not built over night and take decades and even centuries to come up to a certain level. Our universities are in the making and are moving on the right track. But there is the need of a word of caution as regards research enterprises. Of late a tendency, though not widespread, has developed which indicates downslide of research studies at various departments. The downslide has appeared from selection of a subject for research to quality of guidance available and finally the quality of deliverance. This phenomenon is a cause of deep concern. University authorities on spot shall have to evolve a mechanism to arrests decline of research standards. Faculties that are adepts in teaching may not be the same in guiding researches and vice versa. This factor has to be kept in mind. A mechanism will have to be evolved that will ensure clearance of a proposed topic/subject/field for research before the department concerned gives its final consent. The mechanism has to be outside the department but on institutional level. The award of Doctoral degree should not be trivialized.
Stress on research
Lagarde welcomes India’s commitment to contribute to IMF
WASHINGTON, Apr 21: International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde has welcomed the indications by countries like India and Brazil to contribute to its resources.
In a statement, Lagarde thanked all the countries that have already announced specific contributions, besides China and Russia, which have given firm and specific commitments.
“I am also grateful to Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, all of whom have indicated that they will be among the contributors, which will raise the total further,” Lagarde said.
“We warmly welcome pledges by our members to increase IMF resources by over USD 430 billion, almost doubling our lending capacity,” she added.
This signals the strong resolve of the international community to secure global financial stability and put the world economic recovery on a sounder footing, the IMF chief said.
The resources will be drawn only if they are needed, and if drawn, will be refunded with interest, she noted.
European Union has contributed the most with about USD 200 billion, followed by Japan (USD60 billion), S Korea, Saudi Arabia and Britain (USD 15 billion each), and Sweden at least USD 10 billion. (PTI)
Second international edition of TCS IT Wiz in Dubai
DUBAI, Apr 21: Leading Indian software company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has said the second international edition of TCS IT Wiz quiz competition will be held in Dubai.
The inter-school IT Quiz will be held on April 28 at the local Indian High School here.
Through TCS IT Wiz, the company aims to get school students interested about information technology and the possibilities that it brings for young, inquisitive minds, it said.
TCS IT Wiz has been running for the last 12 years as a part the company’s Corporate Social Initiatives.
The event targets students studying in classes 8-12 to encourage them to look at technology though a new perspective. (PTI)
Training in Rubber Cultivation
KOTTAYAM, Apr 21: A five-day training in rubber cultivation would begin at Rubber Training Institute here from May 7.
The course content includes modern planting materials, planting techniques, manuring, pest and disease control, tapping and latex processing. The medium of instruction is Malayalam, an official release said today.
The training is organised by the Rubber Board. (PTI)
Developing, emerging economies would be growth drivers: FM
WASHINGTON, Apr 21: Observing that the global economy appears to be strengthening gradually after suffering a setback, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said developing countries and emerging economies are expected to continue as growth drivers.
“Developing countries and emerging economies are expected to continue as growth drivers for the world economy. The fact, however, is that even here growth has decelerated.
“The global economy is too interconnected for them to be insulated from the knockdown impact of developments in advanced economies,” he said in his address to the -24 Finance Ministers meeting.
This presents both a challenge as well as an opportunity for organisations like the G24 to take a lead role in creating a platform for exchange of ideas and to develop a consensus to arrive at solutions that are not only effective in the short run but also sustainable in the long run, he said.
Mukherjee said the need for concerted action among the world nations for facing the volatility in the global economy was well articulated in our last meeting in September 2011 in this very same venue.
Noting that the role of the international financial institutions (IFIs) today deserves to be viewed in this light, Mukherjee said there are serious apprehensions regarding the governance structure of these IFIs, adequacy of their resources as well the flexibility of their lending procedures.
“These apprehensions have strengthened the trend of setting up new and regional financial mechanisms and institutions where the voice of these nations is heard, and adequate finance is forthcoming,” he said.
Mukherjee said the present global juncture presents an opportunity for the G24 to devise strategies to enhance its effectiveness in the global policy making process.
“All international organisations today recognise the fact that none of them can be an active participant in the global economy unless and until EMDCs are taken on board and given a greater role,” he said.
Mukherjee said finance ministers of G-24 countries are meeting at a time when the global economy appears to be strengthening gradually after suffering a setback.
“Although actions by Euro zone countries and the ECB have stabilised the situation and calmed the market somewhat, underlying structural problems remain and downside risks remain significant as manifest in recent movements in bond yields,” he said.
“Volatility in commodity prices, threats of disruptions to supply chains and high oil prices have added to global uncertainty and impacted businesses across the globe, slowing the recovery in both advanced and emerging economies,” he said. (PTI)
Bank of Baroda reduces Deposit and Lending rates
MUMBAI, Apr 21: Public sector lender, Bank of Baroda has decided to reduce the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) and Base
Rate by 25 basis points each to 14.75 per cent and 10.50 per cent respectively, with effect from May 1.
The Bank has also decided to reduce its Deposit Rates by 25 to 50 basis points in various maturities with effect from May 1, 2012
a release said.
The bank has taken this step in response to the RBI’s move to cut the policy rate by 50 basis points in its Annual Monetary Policy.
(UNI)
