Srinagar, Mar 17: A 5-day Innovation in Scientific Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Science internship camp to motivate students towards Research and Development in Nanoscience here on Saturday.
 The camp in which nearly 300 students of basic sciences and mathematics are participating was inaugurated by the Chairman National Commission for Minorities, Wajahat Habibullah at SKICC here.
 While speaking at the inaugural function, Habibullah said: “The program is an acknowledgement of excellence achieved by science students in the state of JK.”
 Co-convener of the program Dr Seemin Rubab said the motivation behind the INSPIRE was to enlarge the pool of scientific human power and foster research in the sciences.
 “The INSPIRE program has three sub-components including Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS), Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) and Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC),” Dr Rubab informed.
 A scientist at DST, Dr Umesh Kumar Sharma, said technology development was impossible without a strong research and development in basic science and mathematics.
 “To revive and consolidate Science as a career option for bright students from across the country DST and National Knowledge Commission is running fellowships such as Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) - Scholarships and to start new fellowships schemes like INSPIRE,” Dr Sharma added.
 According to him it was third such camp in Kashmir valley. “Six camps have already been organized in Jammu region and one has been organized in Ladakh. More such camps will be held in May and July in the region,” he informed.
 The inaugural session was started with the introduction of NIT Srinagar presented by Dean Research and Development at NIT, Prof MD Mufti. The director NIT, Srinagar Prof Rajat Gupta elaborated on the genesis of INSPIRE programme.
 In his address Prof Gupta urged the young participants to undertake research in future on contemporary issues such as solar power, climate, environment, wildlife conservation, epidemic diseases.
 A book on Nanotechnology ‘Principles of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology’ co-authored by Convener of Inspire Camp Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Shah was also released on the occasion. A review of the book was presented by Prof Anima Nanda of Sathyabama University, Chennai.
 The camp is being conducted at the NIT campus from March 17 to 21 during which the participating students will get a chance to interact with renowned scientists from prestigious scientific organizations of country.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST