Professor Jayant Udgaonkar Assumes Charge as New Director of IISER Pune

Professor Jayant Udgaonkar has been appointed as the new Director of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (Pune). Assuming the charge as new director of IISER, he indicated that scientists and researchers have to come up with novel ideas in order to get adequate funding for research.

He added that, for carrying out research in Science, expensive facilities and instruments are necessary, which needed funding. Most of the researchers are failing to come up with solutions for contemporary and emerging problems. Udgaonkar also added that the scientists have to come up with innovative ideas in order to get adequate funding.

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Adding further, Professor Jayant pointed that researchers are accountable to the money paid by people in the form of taxes. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the scientists and researchers to find practical solutions for newer problems. In August 2017, scientists in India had organised a rally (March for Science) demanding government’s attention towards scientific works. These scientists sought more funding for carrying out research, he added.

Outgoing Director, Dr. K N Ganesh agreed that the government is addressing the problems faced by the citizens. However, the government should not continue to ignore science, and funding is essential to perform quality research, he opined.

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IISER (Pune) bagged 29^th rank in NIRF Rankings 2017, and the premier science institute is in the race for Institute of Eminence status. Currently, IISER (Pune) is in the process of framing a proposal and exhibiting areas of expertise along with accomplished works. However, there is a need to introduce courses that are more inter-disciplinary, particularly in frontier subjects like energy, climate sciences and environment.