Vibrant Gujarat 2013: Govt to set up fund for research

Gujarat Government is considering a dedicated fund to enhance joint research activities in academic institutions in the state. There also will be a fund for faculty improvement, to ensure quality research by them.

Taking cues from success of International Roundtable of Academic Institutions (IRAI) during Vibrant Gujarat 2011, state education department is now focusing on organising International Conference of Academic Institutions (ICAI) during this year’s edition of the summit.

More than 200 representatives from 130 international education institutes of 56 countries will explore possibilities of partnership with state-based universities in the international conference on January 9.

“We want to encourage joint research activities between state universities and foreign institutions. After our analysis and review of IRAI2011 with representatives of universities in the state, we observed that the main constraint is funds for research,” said Hasmukh Adhia, principal secretary of state education department, on Saturday.

“Thus, we are planning to set up a core fund for such activities that will enhance research in the state educational institutions.”

The ICAI will take place at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) in Gandhinagar on January 9-10, said commissioner of higher education, Jayanti Ravi. The meet will  focus on internationalisation of higher education through student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research projects and curriculum development, promotion of research and development, etc.