TN varsities to implement Centre’s SPARC scheme

Chennai

The scheme aims at improving the research ecosystem in higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian institutions and the best institutions in selected countries around the world, to jointly solve problems of national or international relevance, said director professor N Rajendran, Centre for International Affairs in Anna University.

The collaboration with countries include, US, UK, Germany, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Russia, Israel, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Norway, Portugal, Austria, Taiwan, Belgium, Spain, Brazil and Finland. The thrust areas include fundamental research, emergent area of impact, convergence, action-oriented research and innovation driven research.

Accordingly, recognised universities in Tamil Nadu will be sending their proposals to join the scheme. Each institution will be allowed to submit up to 25 projects. Every university will get a budgetary allocation of Rs 5 crore through the scheme. Initial funds are expected to be released before October 2018.

Students will be sent to the selected foreign countries periodically to carry out research and development project.

The students will have strong thematic interactions which enable students in the country interact with high quality research groups through workshops held here.

The scheme also envisages that large number of students to be trained in high-end experimental facilities available in the best laboratories. The funds will also be utilized for procuring accessories, consumables, chemicals, video recording, field work, documentation, local travel and among others.