The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI, IIT (BHU), Varanasi and INYAS jointly organised the “National Brainstorming Session on Empowering Young Scientists of India” on 24th and 25th January 2023 to assimilate ideas for enhancing the avenues of empowering young scientists of India in the current research ecosystem. The event was held at the Senate Hall, Swatantrata Bhawan, BHU, Varanasi. The two-day brainstorming session was held as part of the initiative on Empowering Young Scientists by the Office of PSA with the aim of collating inputs on a new policy document to nurture and empower the next generation of young scientists and researchers (≤45 years) that would translate into excellence in scientific and technological leadership for furthering the research and development in the country.
The inaugural session held on 24th January 2023 was graced by the presence of Dr. (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, and Dr Pramod K. Jain, Director, IIT (BHU), Varanasi. Professor Avinash Chandra Pandey, Director, IUAC, New Delhi and Chief Guest, delivered the valedictory address on 25th January 2023. The 2-day session coordinated by Dr Monoranjan Mohanty, Adviser/Scientist ‘G’, Office of the PSA and organised by Prof. Sanjay Kumar Sharma, Dept. of Mining Engineering, IIT (BHU), Varanasi, saw Keynote speakers, panellists and distinguished participants from various Ministries, Academic and National R&D Labs, IITs, Central and State Universities present their viewpoints.
The discussions were held in 7 sessions corresponding to 7 major topics concerning research and education, i.e. Ease of Doing Research/Facilitating Research; Opportunities for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Research; Research Ethics; Challenges at Workplace and Family Support; Grievance Redressal and Incentivising Research; Performance Criteria and Promotion Policy; and Career Growth Opportunities and Capacity Building. The participants shared their concerns and aspirations about their research and academic pursuits and also suggested solutions for addressing the concerns raised, especially for young scientists.
The conclusions and recommendations of the brainstorming session will serve as inputs for a policy document being prepared by the Office of the PSA, GoI, to empower young scientists in India.
