Vice chancellor of Manipur University professor N Lokendra on Wednesday said that research should focus on bridging the gap between academic study and practical industrial application, stressing on the need to make academic research papers practical and applicable in the real world.
He was speaking at the 22nd Foundation Day celebration of the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Takyelpat, Imphal. A seminar on Synergizing Research Verticals to promote the bioeconomy and Bioresources of the Northeast Region was also organised in connection with the celebration.
He pointed out that numerous unused research papers could be found collecting dust at various libraries across the Northeast due to the one-dimensional model of the research works.
“Researchers pour their heart and soul to finesse their research papers but if we fail to generate awareness and make the research paper practical then such conditions will continue on into the future,” he said.
He stressed the need to enhance the quality of research and reach out to many people across different academic barriers.
He reiterated that researchers should focus on making their research marketable and usable.
He highlighted that the British, during their colonial stay in the 19th century, had collected and made detailed reports about the various flora and fauna species found in the Northeast. But explorative works stopped after the British left, he added.
“The British strived to utilise the varied specimens found in the bio-diverse hotspot of Indo-Myanmar region; they tried to exploit the medicinal properties of such specimens then, but such transition in academic research is yet to happen at present,” he said.
Therefore, he further emphasised the need to initiate disciplines based on pharmaceutical sciences in Manipur. He also stated that work to open such departments at Manipur University would be started shortly.
Meanwhile, IBSD director Pulok K Mukherjee stated that works have been started to create a sustainable bio-economy using bio-resources found in the northeast region.
He highlighted that the work had been taken up under the Phyto Pharmaceutical Mission program which focuses on utilising the medicinal properties of herbs, fermented food and various fauna species to create pharmaceutical drugs for treatment purposes.
He informed that several Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with 29 different institutes for research collaboration in the mission. He exuded confidence that the mission would push the envelope of scientific research in Manipur and also aid in widening the spectrum of bio-economy in the state.
Senior advisor of Department of Biotechnology, government of India Sanjay Mishra, director of Regional Institute of Paramedical & Nursing Science (RIPANS), Mizoram Sanjay Dinkar Sawant, vice chancellor of University of Bhagavanta Culture professor H Tombi singh, chairman of Okinawa Churasima Foundation Hanashiro Yoshihiro, director of Nagaland Science and Technology Council ( NASTEC) Zavei Heise along with students of different colleges and faculty of IBSD were present at the event.
