NRF should seed strong foundation towards realising ‘Viksit Bharat’: Hyderabad University VC

NEW DELHI: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 represents a significant shift in India's approach to research and technology by establishing a centralized and integrative framework for promoting multidisciplinary research, said professor B J Rao, vice-chancellor, University of Hyderabad.

NRF Bill was passed in August last year to dissolve the Science and Education Research Board (SERB) and set up the ANRF. The key functions of NRF include preparing short-term, medium-term, and long-term roadmaps and preparing programmes for research and development; facilitating and financing the growth of R&D and related infrastructure in universities, colleges, and research institutions; providing grants for research proposals; encouraging international collaboration; undertaking annual survey of scientific research, outcomes, and spending, among others.

Praising the Act, the Hyderabad University VC said, for the first time in India, a central body intended to integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with scientific and technological aspects of humanities and social sciences has been set up for promoting and monitoring a multidisciplinary functioning across the universities and colleges, research institutions, industries and public enterprises from state and central government, public or private sector enterprises.

“This model could effectively “desilofy” the system in due course,” the professor added.

The vision of the research foundation is aligned with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, according to the VC. Its primary aim is to establish a research ecosystem that effectively integrates the entire system to align them with India’s objectives in critical areas of research and innovation that hold national and global significance. The ANRF is dedicated to translating research into technologically advanced, capital-intensive innovations, while maintaining a focus on national strategic needs and the public good.

NRF

Explaining the role of the research foundation, Rao said that ANRF functions as the apex body, offering high-level strategic direction for the country’s research, innovation, and entrepreneurship landscape. It plays a crucial role in providing essential funding and fostering a comprehensive, competitive ecosystem that encourages collaboration among researchers both within India and internationally. Significantly, this new ecosystem is designed to operate without obstacles, facilitating swift progress and advancement.

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Shedding light on the outcomes of ANRF, Rao said, “One of the important anticipated outcomes of this model is innovation and excellence to happen ‘at scale’ so that eventually ‘patches of excellence’ transform into a ‘countrywide continuum of excellence’. Innovation across the country is likely to drive the economic engine into creating a large-scale manufacturing base, an essential prerequisite for ‘Viksit Bharath’.”

Guided by the vision of NEP 2020, the ANRF is poised to lay a robust foundation for achieving the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). To realize this vision, it is essential to leverage the full potential of ANRF in the near future, harnessing its capabilities to drive significant progress and development, he added.