Goa: Upto Rs 75L grants for higher education institutes to establish research chairs

PANAJI: To give further push to research in institutes of higher education, the directorate of higher education has introduced a new scheme which will enable the institutes to establish research chairs.
Colleges in the state will be able to invite scientists of repute to serve as the chair and will get government funds upto Rs 75 lakh per chair for a researcher or academic based abroad.
The institute has to put in place a panel to make selection of appointees to the chair. It is mandatory to have a representation of the directorate of higher education on the committee. The proposal will then be forwarded to the state government for approval of funds.
“Maximum amount of Rs 50 lakh in the form of funds/grant-in-aid shall be sanctioned annually for each research/academic chair (for a researcher/academician from India) on the recommendation and approval of the government. Maximum amount of Rs 75 lakh in the form of funds/grant-in-aid shall be sanctioned annually for each research/academic chair (for a researcher/academician from abroad),” states the scheme.
The funds will be released in two instalments.
Scheme states that it aims to provide well-equipped centre of learning to intellectuals, academicians and students to undertake studies and research and to encourage inter-disciplinary research programmes relating to history, science, political economy, literature, mathematics, foreign policies, strategic issues, ecology and environment, social, economic, theatre, music and cultural development, etc.
The idea is to also strengthen the role of various educational institutions, university or academics in public policy making.
“The activities conducted under each of the respective research/academic chair shall be evaluated by the institute concerned and a detailed six monthly report in this regard shall be submitted to the government through the directorate of higher education,” reads the scheme.
If any misuse of the funds is noticed, then the amount of grants provided will be recovered with a 5% penal interest.
“The academic and research landscape has been expanding at an accelerated pace in all disciplines. It is therefore advisable to match the pace while providing opportunities for growth of senior scientists, even beyond superannuation too. In the absence of these opportunities, eminent academicians and performing senior scientists, at times face challenges to continue research and academic advising,” states the scheme.