Scholarship Hike for PhD`s
I am writing this blog after hearing the glad news that the scholarship for phd students is goin to increase from Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 12,000. This is a very glad news indeed. But take a moment and think about it.
We always take the comparison of software professionals who seem to earn more than anybody else. They start of with Rs. 15,000 - 20,000 depending on the company they join. Whereas for other companies, mainly manufacturing and industrial related work, the starting salary is not that high. The workers there, also engineers (some of them who didnt opt for software and wanted to continue in their own education field) earn a meagre sum (Rs. 5,000 -7,500) only. This has resulted that not only the best brains opt for software, but also engineers from other streams (even students who complete their degree in Mechanical and Civil for eg) join the software bandwagon. So, there has become a dearth of quality engineers in other fields. Now, comes the question of what these software people do? Recently, a person had gone to onsite (Germany) to do some work. His job was to debug the software which their company had installed. What was the job of the software- to automatically open and close the door (bathroom door) when a person comes near it. He was one of the toppers in his field, but joined the software company for money. What a state it has become.
Coming back to the main point. The scholarship has been hiked in the name that because of more money more and more people shall take up phd`s. But, will the system work in this way. The better way is to promote science in schools and colleges, other than just increasing the scholarship. Many students (11th and 12th), actually dont know that there exists a career in science, which mainly helps in the betterment of the future of mankind. They are more concentrated mainly in either doing engineering or medicine. The better way is to make scientists interact with more of school students and encourage them about taking science, so that students like doing science. This, as for I am concerned is the way you promote science, not just making it a more lucarative career option.
Finally, quoting myself as an example. : I joined phd after coming to know about its merits not for the monetary aspect of it. This is the case with most of my colleagues too. "Money is not everything in life, there are other things to it too."
posted by Arun Narasimhan @ 10:59 AM
7 Comments:
I agree with the writer that hiking the phd stipend is not the only way to sprout indian science. Equal measure has to be taken in encouraging Science in school and colleges. There should be large scale interaction between Research Scientist with students so as to motivate them to pursue science. Unless measure are taken at grass roots, we will not reap rich harvest.
I too agree with the writer that it is only the passion towards the science that would drive people into this field.It would be a worthwhile task to channel youngsters by inculcating the merits of science. To reiterate the writers words, just by making research more lucarative there is very less chance of attracting bright young minds , rather change has to be brought right from the basic level..
will the right persons .. think about that!!!
Got a comment via e-mail.. So, am posting it
I have a point to share with you in this regard...why shouldn't be there a session where every Master's or PhD fellow should reach to the nearest shool in their locality and demonstrate their work and interact with students that may cultivate interest from school level.
sahi bola baap!!!
but the point is, science-teaching in schools should be more fun-filled, not mere reading and mugging up some information and vomiting it in the exam paper. True interest in science will come through right grooming procedure. I personally felt the lack of hands-on experience during my school days. A diode is better understood, when it is put into use on a breadboard with simple circuitry around it. If someone gets the flavour of fun in doing science, he/she will take it up as a career in the long run.
In response to the latest anonymous comment,
Science has to be cultivated and groomed, not taught in just schoolboard.
"Money is not everything in life, there are other things to it too."
Grammatically, the 'it' here refers to the money and not life! Did you intend this so that you could get more comments?
Well thanx, Unknown scratcher for trying to correct me. In the context, I meant there are other things in life too. Money is not everything in life.
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