Focus on industry-oriented research: VC

Chandigarh, June 15

The first meeting of the newly constituted interdisciplinary task force was held today under the Chairmanship of Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar.

Kumar expressed that the thrust areas of the university should be listed out with the interest of society, global perspective and government priority in mind. He said he would be integrating all lab facilities available in Panjab University.

“He urged all to focus on industry-oriented research, patents and citations. The task force has been constituted mainly to enhance the global image of Panjab University and increase outputs for research/teaching for enhancing rankings,” said a spokesperson.

“He urged for enhanced interdepartmental communication to fill the gaps for the research going on in various labs of the PU. The need of the hour is to collaborate and work out modalities where the Centre for Industry Institute Partnership Programme (CIIPP), management and industrial links come to the help of departments,” the spokesperson said.

“It was strongly felt that more and more scientists should be encouraged for patenting their research work. The PU Vice-Chancellor informed that a nodal officer has been appointed for encouraging the writing for getting the patents. For this, hiring a professional patent agent was also suggested apart from exploring options of government agencies, which give free services for filing the patents,” the spokesperson said.

“He (Kumar) urged for more and more collaborations with the industry. It was to have interdisciplinary research on environment, health, disaster management, public health and public policy. The industrial feedback will be taken for good research work,” said the spokesperson. — TNS