Career Guidance for Class 8 – 12 students: Research in India

The dominant feature of the Indian education system is rote learning where students are taught to mug up the concepts and reproduce the same on paper. This practice could have serious implications for a student during his/her higher education as dissertations form a mandatory part of almost all college/university degrees. Over the past few years, only few Indian universities have made it to the top 100 universities according to the Times Higher Education University Asia Rankings. As of 2015, only 9 universities (Indian Institute of Science [Rank 37], Panjab University [Rank 38], IIT, Roorkee [Rank 55], IIT, Bombay [Rank 57], IIT, Delhi [Rank 65], IIT, Kharagpur [Rank 69], IIT, Madras [Rank 78], Aligarh Muslim University [Rank 90], Jawaharlal Nehru University [Rank 96]) have made it to the top 100 universities, which is not a promising number. China is considered as the education powerhouse of Asia as 21 Chinese universities have made it to the elite list of top universities. 

 

One of the main reasons behind Indian universities not being featured in the top 100 list is the lack of research oriented learning. Many Indian students are not even aware of the term ‘research’ and it has been looked upon with fear and doubt most of the time. Many students are trained to stick to a specific number of books and study material and this inturn does not kindle a student’s interest in discovering beyond what is presented to him/her by the teacher. There are also a few number of learners who are naturally inclined towards research and believe in justifying one’s arguments concerning a particular issue/concept backing it by updated evidence (both qualitative/quantitative data). 

Research, in the simplest terms means the undertaking of any innovative task in a routine manner so as to increase the knowledge base constituting the knowledge of mankind, social environment and culture and the utilisation of this knowledge for the development of new applications. 

The list of the some well known scholarships which are aimed at encouraging the research skills of students in India has been compiled below:

• Aviva Young Scholar Nat Geo Junior Hunt aims at awarding its winners with a fully paid scholarship for a degree/diploma in Clinical Research, Management, Aviation and the chance to host Nat Geo Junior shows. Students from Class 3 – 8 are eligible. The test is conducted by CNN-IBN in association with ICRI, ILAM & Maples.  

• Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS) is conducted by the Department of Science and  Technology, Government of India every year under INSPIRE (Innovation  in Science & Pursuit for Inspired Research).  Students from Class 6 to Class 10 are eligible for this scholarship. It encourages  students to make a science project and demonstrate it. An amount of Rs 5,000 is given to each student for meeting the expenses of the project.    Conducting body: Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The website which has to be consulted for further details is: http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in/award.html

• The Velammal Science Talent Search Exam: This scholarship acquired after qualifying the exam aims at identifying students with problem solving skills and aptitude. The total scholarship prize 4 lakhs rupees and the exam is conducted across 6  different levels. Students of Class 1 – 12 from Tamil Nadu/ Puducherry are eligible to appear for the exam. The exam is conducted by the Velammal Educational Trust of Tamil Nadu. For further details, do check the website here: http://www.velammalsciencetalenttest.com/

• CSIR Innovation Award for School Children: This award was initiated with the objective to create  awareness, interest and motivation for intellectual property among school going children. The award comprises of 30 prizes and the first prize is a cash award of 1 lakh  rupees. This award is granted by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). Further details regrading the scholarship can be obtained here: http://www.csir.res.in/external/Heads/career/awards.htm

• NASA Exploration Design Challenge was formulated with the sole purpose to encourage students to research and design ways in which astronauts can be protected from space radiation. Students from Class 1 – 12 are eligible. Attractive awards would be granted upon succeding the challenge. Check the website here: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/spacelife/explorationdesign/overview/#.VZKe2Ubu-Lg

•  National Level Science Talent Search Examination (NSTSE) aims at measuring the conceptual clarity among students and works on giving back effective feedback inorder to help them improve.  The awards that would be granted include a cash prize of Rs. 2,00,000, a Medal and a Tablet. For further details, check the link below: http://www.buddy4study.com/scholarship/national-level-science-talent-search-examination-nstse-2014

• IGNITE focuses on supporting and encouraging creative technological ideas/innovations from students. All school students are eligible. The awards include financial and mentoring support. For further details, check:  http://www.buddy4study.com/scholarship/ignite-2014

Work on your research skills and success in your field of interest is sure to follow.

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