NEHU organises sensitisation programme for research scholars

DIMAPUR — ‘Anusandhan’, a one day sensitisation programme for first and second year research scholars of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong was organised by the university’s RD Cell at Golden Jubilee auditorium, Shillong Campus, on May 22.

The envisioned flagship activity of NEHU was attended by scholars from 28 different departments of both Shillong and Tura campuses, with Dr. AK Sarma, Director General of North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) as the chief guest and Prof. DK Nayak, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) of NEHU as the chairman, stated a press release issued by PRO, NEHU.

Prof. SR Joshi, Director of Research and Development Cell, NEHU along with Prof. Timir Tripath, Prof. Santosh Kumar, members of RD Cell and faculties were also present among the participating scholars.

The objective of the programme was to sensitise fresh research scholars on how a research problem can be oriented towards start-up and entrepreneurship venture without going any extra mile.

Prof. AK Sharma enthused in the scholars the very idea of exploring their respective expertise and how it can be worked out as utility product for society.

This can be done if one understands the requirement of the society and work in that direction to provide solutions to the needs, he said.

Prof. DK Nayak lauded the efforts of RD Cell for initiating such inspirational activity in the university, he said, which will assist in channelising the interest and focus of the scholars in research oriented societal problems and development of solutions.

Prof. SR Joshi, who highlighted on the responsibilities and role of RD Cell in the university, stressed that research should not only aim at  publishing papers and dissertation or thesis writing; rather it needs to find means to translate for its applications in one form or the other. 

He emphasised that Anusandhan, which aims to assist scholars in finding mentors and facilities for incubating their ideas, is an initial step in this direction.

Prof. Timir Tripathi, the organising secretary of the event, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response received from participants of the one-day programme and assured that the cell is working sincerely to meet its objectives.

Dr. AK Sharma, in his talk in the first session, brought out the relevance of industry-academia interaction and highlighted on programmes that NECTAR has floated to benefit students from North-East India.

He illustrated with examples the rich bio resources of the region and how scholars can target areas which may have relevance to agriculture technology, climate change, fibres, biofertiliser, enzymes, energy sector etc.

He said that one has to think uniquely to use resources available around them for which one needs to understand the properties of those resources. Sharma also highlighted on the importance of quality assuring production technology to meet the market demands.

The second session was conducted by Dr. Tania Paul Das, manager at BIONEST Incubator Facility, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) Guwahati.

In her presentation, she stressed on the domain of student entrepreneurs and said that “innovation is invention and execution.” Das also explained the importance of incubation centre in entrepreneurship, facilities and fund required to develop entrepreneurship.

This was followed by intense interaction where the scholars got their queries clarified by the expert.

The last session consisted of a panel discussion led by the experts and university students selected from East Zone to participate at the International Level ANVESHAN-2023 at University of Mumbai, the release stated.