UP to fund research chairs on Indian knowledge systems in older colleges
Uttar Pradesh will set up research chairs in eligible universities and colleges to promote research on India’s ancient knowledge systems, philosophy, science and culture in
Uttar Pradesh will set up research chairs in eligible universities and colleges to promote research on India’s ancient knowledge systems, philosophy, science and culture in line with the Education Policy 2020, the state government said on Thursday. The government has issued detailed guidelines for establishing the ‘Indian Knowledge Tradition Promotion Research Chairs’ in state universities and government and aided colleges. Read Full Story According to Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, only institutions that have completed 50 years, have more than 5,000 students and are recognised under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act will be eligible to apply.
Each selected research chair will get a one-time grant of Rs 2 crore for five years. The grant will be kept as a fixed deposit, and the interest earned will be used for regular operations, research activities and academic programmes. Upadhyay said additional resources could also be raised through Corporate Social Responsibility, donations and other lawful sources. The research chairs will support studies on the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Jain and Buddhist philosophy, Ayurveda, yoga, Indian mathematics, astronomy, architecture, agriculture, environmental conservation and other traditional knowledge systems.
Research grants and academic assistance will be given to PhD, post-doctoral, undergraduate and postgraduate researchers. The plan also includes publication of research works, translations and critical editions with international standards, including ISBN and DOI identifiers. The government said rare manuscripts and ancient texts will be digitised and preserved, while research findings will be made available through open-access digital libraries and Massive Open Online Courses. Institutions will also hold national and international conferences, workshops and lecture series, and introduce diploma and certificate courses on Indian knowledge traditions.
A management committee led by the vice chancellor or principal will oversee each research chair, with directors, chair professors, research assistants, research fellows and digital and IT experts appointed for its functioning. Upadhyay said the initiative would help establish Uttar Pradesh as a global centre for Indian knowledge traditions, while encouraging cultural pride, confidence and a research-oriented outlook among the youth. Ends
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