1000 colleges are being equipped with innovation hubs, says HRD Minister

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 7: In order to encourage innovation, Central government has carved out a fund of Rs 200 Crore this year for the innovative solutions and 1000 colleges across the country are being equipped with innovation hubs. The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar has said that only the research work in various fields can pave way for innovations in the country.

The 106th Science Congress which began on January 3 with focal theme-Future India: Science & Technology will conclude on January 7. Javadekar addressing a valedictory session of the 8th Women Science Congress said that research and development are the most important prerequisites for the nation building. He said that it is the research only which helps countries to overcome problems of any type in any field and that’s why the research work is being strengthened and given top priority by the union government.

He also called upon the Universities and other educational institutions to set up such innovation clubs on their own level, too.

This year ministry is spending nearly Rs 33,000 Crore for this purpose while to encourage social science research Rs 250 Crore has been earmarked. He said the major project of the government is SPARK which was launched to assist and encourage students to carry on their ambitious research projects within India instead of going abroad. In this regard, the ministry has also planned to provide a scholarship of Rs 1 Lakh per student per month for research and innovation work.

The government is bringing together the students, teachers and industrialists in innovation and research work. The initiatives taken by the government had not only stopped brain drain but replaced it with brain gain. He said inculcation of the scientific temper of the mind to understand the things in proper perspective is essential.