To brainstorm and then assimilate the ideas for enhancing the avenues of empowering young scientists of India in the current research ecosystem, ‘National Brainstorming Session on Empowering Young Scientists of India’, was held. It was part of the initiative to empower young scientists to collate inputs on a new policy document. The Government of India is working on nurturing the next generation of scientists and researchers, who have attained the age of 45 or below. All accepted the fact that our constant endeavour to empower the young scientists of India, is the greatest investment for the future of India.
Jointly organized by the office of the principal scientific adviser to the GoI, IIT (BHU), Varanasi and INYAS, this brainstorming session aims at igniting excellence in scientific and technological leadership for furthering the research and development, which the country needs the most at this important juncture of economic and scientific development.
The keynote speakers, panelists and distinguished participants from various ministries, academic and national R&D labs, IITs, central and state universities presented their viewpoints during the session, held on 24th and 25th January 2023. The discussions were held in seven sessions corresponding to seven major topics concerning research and education like- ease of doing research or facilitating research, opportunities for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, research ethics, challenges at workplace and family support, grievance redressal and incentivising research, performance criteria and promotion policy and career growth opportunities and capacity building.
The seminar witnessed the participants sharing their concerns and aspirations about their research and academic pursuits and also suggesting solutions for addressing the concerns raised, especially for young scientists. The conclusions and recommendations of the brainstorming session may serve as inputs for a policy document being prepared by the office of the PSA, GoI, to empower young scientists in India.
Earlier, an International Webinar titled ‘Inputs to Policy on Empowering Young Scientists’ was organized on January 9, 2023, as a part of the Office of PSA’s initiative on empowering young scientists with the aim to collate inputs on a new policy document.
The salient points which emerged from that webinar included recommendations for funding support for early career researchers, freedom to take up research in their area of interest, skill development – both hard and soft skills, involvement in decision-making, easing of administrative procedures for undertaking international collaborations, rewards and recognition of early career scientists and spreading awareness about opportunities for career growth to retain and encourage young researchers, spreading awareness on opportunities for collaboration and funding by investing in the networking of young scientists, good mentorship programmes and incentives for mentors, education on research ethics, research paper publications and supporting patent filing.
