Growing political interference in higher education and shrinking funds to science in the country came under sharp criticism on the closing day of the alumni meet of Indian Institute of Science here on Sunday.
P. Balaram, former Director, IISc., said building institutes of higher education had now turned into a game of snake and ladder owing to growing political interference. He said funding for science was going down in the country and research institutes should brace themselves for difficult times.
Mr. Balaram urged the alumni, who hold leading positions in universities abroad, to sensitise the government on how important it was to support an institute like IISc. that has survived a century.
Transition of research knowledge at the institute into products was one of the other major concerns expressed at the meet.
Jayant Modak, Chairman, Society for Innovation and Development (SID), said the IISc. faculty file up to 30 to 40 patents every year.
However, K.V.S. Hari, Professor, IISc., and an entrepreneur, said, “Some of the faculty think that making money is a sin. That may be one reason why many faculties may not be keen on taking up entrepreneurship. Failure is not perceived as a disadvantage in the West. However, in India we are not allowed to fail. This mindset should change,” he said.
Rajalakshmi Iyer, an alumnus, said the institute must set a target on the number of start-ups it wants to see in a year.
C.S. Murali, Chairperson, Entrepreneurship Cell, Society for Innovation and Development, IISc., said the institute must aim to incubate at least 10 companies every year.
