‘Highest amount in India’: CM Pinarayi distributes second Nava Kerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan distributed the second Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Post Doctoral Fellowship on Monday. The fellowship is awarded by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC).
In an era where the advancement of knowledge serves as a pivotal catalyst for a nation's progress, Kerala stands at the forefront with innovative initiatives, setting itself apart from other Indian states. Notably, the Nava Kerala Post Doctoral Fellowship stands as a testament to this commitment, said Pinarayi.
Addressing the pressing need for robust research and development, the state allocated Rs 3,500 crore in the recent budget. This budget encapsulates the financial resources required to propel research and development initiatives across various sectors. Furthermore, it delineates the crucial research projects that demand paramount attention within each sector, the CM said.
The selection process for the Post Doctoral Fellowship follows a model akin to that of Indian National Science Academy Fellows. The government's objective is not only to foster the generation of research findings but also to facilitate the dissemination of the acquired knowledge for the betterment of the public, Pinarayi said.
Quoting the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research director general, KSHEC vice-chairman Dr Rajan Gurukal said that the Nava Kerala fellowship pays the highest amount for post-doctoral research in the country.
“There are enquiries from foreign researchers if a portion of the Nava Kerala fellowship could be dedicated to them,” he said.
Higher education minister R Bindu presided over the function.
According to a release in April, as many as 68 researchers were chosen for the scholarship this year. They belong to various fields, such as Life Science, Chemical Science, Material Science, Political Science, Historical Studies, Humanities & Liberal Arts, Economic Studies, Agriculture & Ecological Science, Climate Change & Geological Studies, Medical Science, Commerce & Management Studies, and Digital Technology & Engineering.