The National Ranking Framework introduced by the Centre to evaluate performance of higher education institutions in the country will have a separate set of parameters for IISERs from the next academic year.
Addressing the 4th convocation of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani today said the IISERs have contributed significantly in the study of basic sciences within a very short period.
"These institutes went ahead forging academic collaboration links with renowned institutes abroad and this will allow the students to access academic facilities abroad while studying at the Indian institutions," Irani said.
"For the first time in the history of our country, the government of India has allowed our institutions to tie up with foreign institutions for degree programmes," Irani said at the IISER's Mohanpur campus in Nadia district.
For this, Indian educational institutions, which enter into academic tie-ups with foreign institutes would have to ensure that students who opt for these courses would study at least one semester for post-graduate degrees and two semesters for under-graduate degrees abroad, she had said earlier.
Following this, the students now have the choice in doing two semesters in foreign institution in under graduate courses and also one semester in post graduate courses, she said.
As per the new norms, the name of the mother and foreign institutions would be mentioned on the degree certificate for such courses, the Minister said.
Lauding efforts of promoting scientific research
activities among the school students by the IISER-Kolkata, Irani said quest for knowledge, discovery and innovations should continue at all levels.
"These efforts will help improve the study of science that has dipped to 30 per cent," she said.
Irani also announced that a two-member team of the HRD Ministry would visit the institute to assess shortage of hostel facilities faced by students and faculty and also find out other priority-needs of the IISER-Kolkata, which is also celebrating the 10th year of its existence.
Prof R N Mukherjee, Director of the institute, on the occasion read out a message sent by President Pranab Mukherjee lauding the contribution of the institute in science education and research.
"IISER-Kolkata has already started creating a niche for science. It is an excellent beginning," the President observed.
Speaking on the occasion, West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said outstanding students of this institute should realize that apart from inculcating their personal knowledge, they are creating national wealth.
"Science is virtually the vehicle of progress for society yet caution should be applied in its balanced use because besides creating, it can also kill," he cautioned.
Referring to Bengal's glorious history in research and study of basic sciences, Tripathi said IISER-Kolkata would work in tandem, with Bose Institute, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics and IIEST-Shibpur, besides Kolkata and Jadavpur Universities for effective coordination among disciplines.
A total of 122 students were awarded degrees at the convocation.
