Union HRD minister Prakash Javdekar on Thursday admitted that IITs and other institutions of higher education have 35% vacant teaching posts in India.
Javdekar opened a roundtable on `Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Research in India’ organized in Gandhinagar on sidelines of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2019 at Gujarat Science City.
The minister mentioned three main reasons for India’s ‘brain drain’ problem – adversely affecting research and technology Innovation – while asserting that Indians today are making their mark in every major technology firms ranging from Microsoft to Google but the country doesn’t have major research-based patent, technology or product to boast of.
“The students are not finding adequate supervisors, research lab/ facilities and scholarships. We are addressing all three issues through our initiatives,” said Javadekar.
He mentioned that the government is working for ‘brain gain’ by incentives to Indians studying and working abroad. He added that Rs 30,000 crore has been earmarked for upgrade and establishment of research labs across India.
“The students through initiative such as IMPRINT can avail up to Rs 1 lakh per month scholarship. We are also boosting research fellowship,” said the HRD minister.
For the education bureaucrats, Javdekar said the education system should focus on innovation. “In my interactions with teachers, I am told they are not asked about their teaching and innovations but if they are adhering to the norms laid out. This needs to stop,” said Javdekar, giving the example of an IIT professor who teaches Mathematics through toys.
The minister along with Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani inaugurated Beyond Planet Earth and Futuristic Technology exhibitions at Science City.
Courtesy: TOI