PMRF scheme will convert brain drain into brain gain : Javadekar

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar on February 8, 2018, lauded the cabinet decision to implement ‘Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF)’ scheme for improving the quality of research by attracting the best talents from across the country.

Addressing the media in the national capital, Javadekar said that the scheme will go a long way in tapping the talent pool of the country for carrying out research indigenously in cutting edge science and technology domains.  He added that the research under the Scheme will address our national priorities on the one hand and shortage of quality faculty in the premier educational institutions of the country, on the other. This initiative of the government will convert brain drain into brain gain, he said, according to a PIB release.

The HRD Minister informed that around 1,000 best students who have completed (or are in the final year of) B Tech or Integrated MTech or MSc in Science and Technology streams from IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIITs will be offered direct admission in PhD programme in the IITs/IISc under the scheme. They will be offered a fellowship of Rs 70, 000 per month for the first two years, Rs 75, 000 per month for the 3^rd year, and Rs 80, 000 per month in the 4^th and 5^th years. Apart from this, a research grant of Rs 2.00 lakh will be provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to enable them participate in international research conferences and present research papers. A maximum of 3,000 Fellows would be selected in a three year period beginning 2018-19.

The Minister also informed about ‘Pareeksha pe Charcha,’ the Prime Minister’s interaction with students, which is scheduled to be held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, on February 16, 2018. About 2,000 school and college students including teachers and principals will be participating in the programme. PM Narendra Modi will advise students on beating exam stress and appearing for exams with a positive attitude.

Javadekar said that ‘Pareeksha pe Charcha’ is an event which relates to most of the households of the country as exam season is round the corner. He also said that during the interaction PM would reply to the queriesof the students which they can upload on the link https://www.mygov.in/task/making-exams-fun-chat-pm-narendra-modi/. Around 10 students will get an opportunity to ask questions directly.