Date : 19/10/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 2- Social Justice - Education and Research

Keywords: Brain drain, Brain Circulation, IITs, IISERs, Faculty Fellowships

Context-

• India has a vibrant scientific community, which is nurtured and sustained primarily by government-funded institutions, including the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), and Central and State universities. These institutions, along with private universities, constitute the backbone of India's academic science ecosystem. Within these hallowed halls, faculty members are at the forefront of scientific research and education. However, a significant number of them are appointed on fellowships, and they face unique challenges and disparities despite their commendable qualifications and rigorous selection processes.
• Faculty fellowships have become an integral part of scientific research and academic teaching in India, offering both research funding and salary support. Here, we look into the challenges and opportunities associated with faculty fellowships, addressing the issues faced by these scientists and the benefits they bring to the Indian scientific landscape.

The Role of External Funding in Scientific Pursuits

• External funding schemes, typically multi-year government-funded grants and fellowships, are crucial to advancing scientific research in India. These programs provide research funds and, in some cases, support salary costs for a fixed number of years. Institutes and universities value scientists with independent research funding and salary support, making them highly competitive and sought-after candidates.
• The selection process for such fellowships is often rigorous, involving multi-step applications and interviews. These scientists contribute to the institute not only through their research but also by teaching during the fellowship period. Afterward, they are evaluated for tenure and promotion.
• India has developed structured fellowships to help scientists establish research programs within the country. These government-funded fellowships offer salaries and annual research funds for a minimum of five years, with some programs providing extensions. Faculty members funded by these fellowships can seek regular positions at the host or another institute, depending on eligibility and availability. However, some fellowships only offer research funds, and securing a regular position can be challenging.

Challenges Faced by Faculty Fellows

• Despite their qualifications and the financial support they receive, faculty members appointed on fellowships often encounter challenges within the host institutes. These include difficulties in obtaining office and laboratory space and access to common research facilities, even though the host institute is obligated to provide these resources. Furthermore, faculty fellows have reported being treated as 'second-class' faculty members compared to their permanent counterparts.
• It is worth noting that several institutes, including those funded by the Departments of Science & Technology (DST) and Biotechnology (DBT), have ceased hosting faculty members on short-term fellowships due to concerns about the uncertainty or inability to offer regular positions once the fellowship concludes. This reluctance to embrace faculty fellowships undervalues the long-term potential they hold for Indian science.

The Faculty Recruitment Conundrum

• Government-funded scientific institutions in India face a multitude of challenges regarding faculty recruitment. These include significant delays in the recruitment process, age cut-offs, and a shortage of qualified candidates. As a result, many science departments grapple with vacant positions even as they contend with growing student numbers and the demand for scientific output.
• According to the Ministry of Education, approximately 40% of teaching positions at IITs (4,502 out of 11,170) and over 25% of sanctioned positions at Central universities (6,180 out of 18,956) remain unfilled. Simultaneously, nearly 6,000 students complete their PhDs in India annually, with many aspiring to secure academic faculty positions, although often in vain. Despite recognizing the problem, science departments face challenges in gaining approvals and implementing the recruitment process.
• In this context, faculty fellowships present an opportunity for scientists to engage with institutes under mutually beneficial terms. During their tenure, faculty fellows develop research programs at the institute, leading to tangible outcomes such as research papers and patents, while also teaching students and mentoring researchers. For the host institute, these benefits come at a minimal cost beyond a term-based appointment and access to research facilities.

The Value of Faculty Fellowships

• Faculty fellowships are essential for retaining talent and attracting international scientists to India. Programs like the Ramalingaswami and Ramanujan Fellowships, offered by the DBT and DST, enable postdoctoral scientists with international expertise to return to India and establish their research groups. Similarly, early-career fellowships like DST-INSPIRE and DBT/India Alliance offer incentives for newly minted Ph.D. researchers in India to embark on research and teaching careers.
• These fellowship programs have the potential to transform India's brain drain into brain circulation, addressing the issue at a fundamental level by retaining skilled researchers. While these fellowships aim to facilitate independent research careers in institutes across India, some fellows diversify their careers after their tenure concludes. Examples include contributions to undergraduate education, entrepreneurship, and science communication. Scientists with diverse and non-linear career paths bring a range of skills and experiences to the scientific community and foster engagement across academic and non-academic sectors.

Creating a Conducive Environment for Faculty Fellowships

• To fully realize the benefits of faculty fellowships, institutes must adopt an approach that supports these programs. This includes providing faculty fellows with the necessary resources, space, and research facilities to initiate and develop successful research and teaching programs.
• Faculty fellows, on the other hand, should consider their fellowship period as an opportunity to explore professional possibilities within and outside the scientific enterprise in India. This approach can help them better understand the diverse ways they can contribute to the scientific community.
• In a landscape with ambitious scientific targets and substantial on-ground challenges, successful faculty fellowship programs can rejuvenate research, teaching, and innovation, driving India's scientific progress forward.

Conclusion

Faculty fellowships are integral to the growth of scientific research and academic teaching in India. While these programs offer substantial support to scientists, the challenges they face within host institutes need to be addressed. Embracing faculty fellowships as a long-term investment in Indian science will undoubtedly contribute to the nation's scientific growth and global competitiveness. By creating a conducive environment for faculty fellowships and encouraging diverse career paths, India can tap into the full potential of its scientific community.

Source - The Hindu