JNU, Hyderabad, Tezpur, Sagar University academicians bag Visitor’s Awards for Research 2018

NEW DELHI, MAY 2: Top researchers from the leading Central Universities including Jawaharlal Nehru University, and University of Hyderabad, Tezpur University and Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar have won the Visitor’s Awards for Research in the field of Basic and Applied Science and in the field of Humanities, Arts and Social Science.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the award to top four researchers during the meeting of Vice Chancellors of Central Universities at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President said that research and Innovation is the bedrock of advancing knowledge, and knowledge alone holds the key to finding solutions to the problems we face in our world, nation, and society.

Prof. Ashish Kumar Mukherjee, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Assam has been awarded for his research on the molecular complexity of the snake venom.

From Jawaharlal Nehru University, Prof. Ashwani Pareek’s from School of Life Sciences, won the award for his work on the development of a rice variety with the potential to enhance the farm productivity and income of farmers.

Prof. Sanjay K. Jain’s, Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh won the award for his work on the development of a drug delivery system having the potential to make cancer treatment more effective and affordable.

Prof. Pramod K. Nayar, University of Hyderabad has won for his work in the field of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

On the occasion, the President said the research work need focus and dedication which is only possible with institutional support. “It is sometimes not understood that research is a demanding profession and a researcher is almost always riding a roller coaster. Pursuing research demands constant determination from the researcher as well as full institutional support. Research is not a 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. job and thus our approach towards supporting and promoting a research culture cannot be a pedantic one.”

He said that research and innovation can play an important role in lifting our people out of poverty, ensuring their health and well-being or attaining food and energy security. “Researchers and innovators can help develop solutions to the problems we experience on a daily basis. Universities can also develop mechanism to support innovation by ordinary people and help such grass-root innovators to further refine their work,” he added.

The President said that universities should incorporate community-oriented initiatives in their academic programs and engage with the communities near to their campuses. Those universities which are located in backward regions have a special responsibility of working with communities around them. “Such community initiatives will further expand the horizon of their students and prepare them well for life ahead,” he advised the academic community.