Centre for inter-discipline studies at varsities mooted

CBMR, Lucknow, ex-chief wants blending of innovations and researches

Former director of Centre for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (CBMR), Lucknow, C L Khetrapal on Thursday exhorted the universities in the country to set up Centre for Inter-discipline Studies.

Addressing the gathering during the valedictory of national workshop on ‘NMR/MRI: From Molecules to Human Behaviour,’ organised jointly by Institution of Excellence (IOE), Vijnana Bhavana, University of Mysore (UoM) and CBMR, Kshetrapal said, “It’s high time the Indian universities set-up such centres, as it plays a pivotal role in bringing together innovations and researches.”

He said 20th century was the era of discoveries and innovations that need to be taken further by integrating the same in 21st century. But, there are several challenges in bringing them together, which could be addressed by setting up Centre for Inter-discipling Studies at universities. Each study centre must also have Centre of Excellence, he added.
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful, continually evolving analytical technique with wide applications in chemical, biological, pharmaceutical and medical sciences. Over the last two decades, the technology has made rapid strides both in theory and in applications, and has flourished dramatically both in technology and methodological fronts, he said.

This in particular has increased the need for skilled personnel trained in the NMR/MRI, especially in spectral interpretation, in academia and industry.

Considering the significance of the NMR/MRI in society and to inculcate knowledge, practical experience in spectral analysis and interpretation in different areas, the CBMR has decided to continue creating awareness in the area of principles and inter-discipline applications of the NMR/MRI among young researchers working at various academic and teaching institutions of higher learning and research in the country, Khetrapal added.

Delivering presidential address, UoM Registrar Prof C Basavaraju, pointed out, “We are in the era of technology. Today, science and technologies have been contributing enormously towards innovations and researches. But, the question is, whether the innovations and technologies are reaching the needy.”

Technologies should promote human existence and quality life, instead of destruction. Science and technology must favour development and generation of knowledge. Unless and until knowledge transforms, everything will remain futile, he opined.

Anil Kumar, a scientist at department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and Prof G Hemantha Kumar, Co-ordinator (administration), IOE, were present.