IISc not doing enough: Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata is not happy with one of India’s best known research organization — the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). At a special meeting on Wednesday, Tata, who is also the President of the IISc Court, said that the 101-year-old centre was not living up to the vision behind its creation. Tata said the IISc was busy filing patents when it should be contributing more towards a new way of life in India.

Tata wanted the institute to do more research and make itself globally relevant. “This institute has perhaps not changed as much as one would like to see. It should perhaps be looking at greater change, do research of greater global relevance,” Tata said. His message will be e-mailed to the IISc Council, headed by Planning Commission Member Dr. K. Kasturirangan.

“I urge all of us to work together to make this possible. The institute should contribute to a new way of life both in India and elsewhere. It should take bigger strides.” Asking IISc’s students and faculty to introspect, Tata said: “We should question ourselves every day as any good institute or corporate. Are we doing enough? Are we relevant enough? Can we do better? The greatest danger in any congregation is to say that we are at the pinnacle and we can do no better.”

Tata’s promise of a centenary gift to IISc in the form of a substantial grant is likely to come soon. Although Tata hasn’t yet signed the cheque, Tata Trust is in talks with the institute to finalise the plan. “We’re in discussion with the Tata Trust on creating a centre for inter-disciplinary activities at IISc. The focus is around a Centre for Biomedical Research. I hope such centre, when it is created, will lead to an integration of science, engineering and clinical research,” said IISc Director, Prof. P. Balaram.

Source: The Times of India, December 16, 2010