UGC favours merit-based funding for varsities

H. Devaraj presents G.N. Ramachandran Award to M. Vijayan

H. Devaraj (second from right), Vice-Chairman, University Grants Commission,presenting the SASTRA G.N.Ramachandran Award to M. Vijayan in Thanjavur on Friday. SASTRA University Vice-Chancellor R. Sethuraman is at right.

Performance-based funding to universities is integral to ushering in excellence in universities across all dimensions, Vice-Chairman, University Grants Commission, H. Devaraj, has said.

Speaking after presenting the SASTRA G.N. Ramachandran Award 2014 to renowned scientist Prof. M. Vijayan at the SASTRA University here on Friday, Prof. Devaraj recalled the contribution of physicist Prof. G.N. Ramachandran to the University of Madras at the invitation of the then Vice-Chancellor Sir A.L. Mudaliar.

Prof. Devaraj said: “The inspirational leadership of Dr. Mudaliar identified the scientific temper of Prof. G.N. Ramachandran, who went on to become a leading international researcher in molecular biophysics and crystallography. Such excellence needed to be nurtured in universities through policy decisions that identify performing institutions and provide support to such institutions, both public and private, he said.

Prof. Vijayan is the INSA Albert Einstein Research Professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and is known for his outstanding work in the area of Molecular Biophysics and Crystallography.

Accepting the award citation and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh instituted by the SASTRA to honour outstanding research work in Physics, Prof. Vijayan delivered the plenary lecture in the inaugural session of the International Conference on Crystal Growth and Bio-molecular Crystallography.

Prof. Vijayan traced the pioneering role of Prof. Ramachandran, his association with the senior scientist, the evolution of macro-molecular crystallography in India and its current status.

Prof. Vijayan said that he felt honoured to receive the award in 2014, declared as the International Year of Crystallography by the United Nations.

The two-day conference inaugurated by Prof. Devaraj was attended by 105 delegates and speakers from India, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Singapore.

SASTRA University Vice-Chancellor R. Sethuraman appealed to the UGC vice-chairman to introduce academic staff colleges in technical universities and offer full time Postgraduate programme in Engineering Education and Pedagogy and provide performance-based funding to all types of universities.