UGC plans programme on trans-disciplinary research
THE NEARLY ~500 CR PLAN WILL SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN VARSITIES, COLLEGES TO DISCOVER NEW AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE
NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) is planning to launch an ambitious scheme to promote transdisciplinary research, an official aware of the matter said.
Called Stride — Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research through Higher Education Institutes for National Development and Entrepreneurship — the nearly ~500 crore programme will support the efforts of students and faculty in universities and colleges to discover new areas of knowledge.
Trans-disciplinary research is a team effort by investigators from different disciplines to create new conceptual and theoretical innovations that go beyond the confines of a subject-specific approach, a UGC official said, not wishing to be named. “Stride will support trans-disciplinary research and socially inclusive innovations for national development and entrepreneurship. New ideas, concepts and practices for public good and strengthening civil society will be encouraged,” the official said.
The scheme envisages exchange between faculty from universities and top colleges and scientists from national bodies such as Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, DRDO, Isro, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology etc for specific periods. A unique aspect of Stride is its open nature, the official added. While it would promote research in a range of areas from philosophy, history, archaeology, anthropology, psychology, Indology, liberal arts, languages, culture, law, education, journalism and mass communication, environment and sustainable development, it would not be confined to these.
“Since the idea is to promote trans-disciplinary research, artificial subject boundaries would not be the confine. There is no straitjacket.”
One of Stride’s aims is to ensure that the research done is of practical utility.