Experts call for universities to focus on core research

Hyderabad: Emphasising the need for pivoting core research, the expert-attendees of the Vice-Chancellor Award ceremony-2023 on Tuesday stressed that fundamental study should be the main focus of the faculty so as to galvanise the expertise and improve the varsities' image.

Addressing the participants, the chief guest Dr G Sateesh Reddy, scientific adviser to Raksha Mantri, highlighted the changing landscape of science and technology. He said education and the conduction of core research by the faculty enhances the image of the universities. For a long time, "we are followers catching up with what other do and importing defence equipment from other countries."

"However, now the situation is changing with innovations taking place in the defence sector, drone technologies and showcasing India's expertise in quantum communications, and other fields. The startup India and the 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat' call given by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi reflects that the country's leadership too wanted India become a leader than a follower, to achieve not only self-reliance, but also export best products across the world".

He asked Osmania University to join hands with the other institutions and start its own incubation hub to take forward step by step knowledge expertise in different fields. At the same time, in the wake of the New Education Policy (NEP) they should allow students to connect with society around them by working on ideas to offer solutions to practical issues faced by people and society.

Another chief guest, Prof B Jagadeeshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, appreciated the efforts of Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Prof D Ravinder in bringing global minds together through the Global Alumni Meet. He emphasised that "ideas are more important than content" and urged teachers to come out of their comfort zone and think of innovative things and ideate solutions for future challenges. Challenges galore in the dynamic times we are living in. Training to form novel things is need of the hour. Need to think out of the box. Learning is all about 'do it yourself'.

Guest of honour, Prof. Raghu Kalluri, director, Metastasis Research Centre, University of Texas, and an alumnus of Nizam College, went down memory lane and recalling his illustrious parents and the strong foundation in his school and college. He recalled his Genetics teacher Dwarakanth Murthy, while emphasing the need for recognising 'our teachers on daily basis'. He conveyed that 'it's important to be in right friendship and criticism to get the best potential in us. He said cancer is a disease of ageing; how our defence systems inbuilt can be augmented and how we can live well and fight cancer. He concluded saying that future belongs to India and that it will lead in science and with confidence in youth. "It's fun to lead and boring to follow".

Prof. R Limbadri, chairman, TSCHE, delivering the guest of honour talk, lauded the efforts of the university in constituting the V-C Award. He said that

he was elated with the contributions of guests of honour and chief guests in the inculcation of scientific temper and service to the country.

Prof. Ravinder in his address explained the progress the varsity achieved recently. He emphasised the need for recognising the contributions of teachers in academics and research.

Prof P Laxminarayana, OU Registrar, in his welcome address said that for the first time the VC Award was extended to contract teachers and teachers from the affiliated colleges.

Prof. B. Reddya Naik, OSD, emphasised the importance of the day and the ceremony, coinciding with the 192nd birth Anniversary of Savithribai Phule, and the motivation the awards would spur and boost the morale of teachers.