THE MAKING OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS

The vibrancy of an academic institute rests, to a large extent, on the quality of its Ph.D. programme. The number of research scholars at IIT Kanpur, as generally everywhere, is below optimum. With higher education abroad becoming easier, as well as employment in industry being more lucrative today, what motivates scholars to join the Ph.D. programme at IIT Kanpur? DIRECTIONS spoke to a group of Ph.D. scholars at the Institute about their reasons for joining research, their evaluation of the Ph.D. programme, and their suggestions for improvement of the programme. These scholars include Ajay Kumar Jain (Psychology), Vikrant Jain (Civil Engineering), Nilesh Jain (Mechanical Engineering), Santosh Singh (Mathematics), Manoj Gore (QIP scholar, Computer Science & Engineering), Manoj Choudhary (Electrical Engineering), Alok Sharan (Physics), and Atul Kumar (Computer Science & Engineering). Satyam Suwas, who has just completed the Ph.D. programme in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, and who is currently an Institute Research Associate, was also present during these discussions.

A Training Ground

The doctoral programme at IIT Kanpur is a means of training prospective researchers through four essential aspects of research work. These are: (a) a wide exposure to the subject through formal coursework; (b) an understanding of the experimental techniques and tools required for the solution of the research problem at hand; (c) the capacity to analytically conceive the solutions to research problems; and (d) the ability to present research output to a learned group in both oral and written forms. While the experimental content may vary depending upon the area of research, no one aspect of the learning process can be more (or less!) important than another.

The Programme

On arrival at IIT Kanpur, a Ph.D. scholar is assigned a Programme Advisor, who helps the scholar during the first phase of the programme. In the first phase, the scholar is expected to do coursewok, crediting four to six courses, depending on specifications laid down by individual departments. Often, courses are recommended by the Programme Advisor to give the required breadth of knowledge to the scholar. While going through the courses, the scholar also identifies the Ph.D. Thesis Supervisor. At the end of the coursework, the scholar appears at a Comprehensive Examination, which could be written, oral, or both. This examination is intended to test the aptitude of the scholar to conduct independent study and research, in addition to gauging her/his understanding of the subject.

On successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the scholar begins research. Based on a thorough search of the literature, she/he is required to present a State-of-the-Art Seminar, which concludes with the proposal of the chosen research topic. This seminar is attended by a Doctoral Committee of faculty members working in that area of research. The intention of this seminar is to help the scholar to clearly define the research problem. Having gone through this, the scholar embarks on the research. On completing the research, the candidate returns to the Doctoral Committee with an Open Seminar. The intention of the open seminar is to ensure that the research problem has been adequately addressed, before the scholar begins to write the thesis. After satisfying the Doctoral Committee, the scholar presents her/his contention of the thesis in written form.

This written document is then sent for review to researchers within India and abroad. After hearing affirmatively from the reviewers, the scholar presents the thesis orally before the Doctoral Thesis Examination Committee, which includes at least one researcher from outside IIT Kanpur. On satisfying this committee, the scholar becomes eligible for the award of the Ph.D. degree from IIT Kanpur.

There are small variations in the above sequence of activities in the different departments of the Institute.

Motivation

Scholars who come to IIT Kanpur have varied backgrounds and different levels of motivation. Quite a few are, naturally, driven to the Ph.D. programme by an inner desire to do research. For many, doing their Masters at institutes known for research work has been a primary factor to choose research as a career option. Some see themselves as natural teachers and enter the Ph.D. programme to equip themselves with the necessary qualifications. A significant number of scholars, however, develop an interest in research only after joining the programme.

Scope for Improvement

Ph.D. scholars at IIT Kanpur on the whole recognise that they are pursuing research in one of the best institutes in the country. There is, however, always some room for improvement. On the structure of the programme, most scholars agree that doing coursework is useful, since it helps them tune into how research is conducted, especially in this Institute. However, one aspect of the coursework requirement is a source of general discontent. Currently, most departments require scholars to necessarily complete all the coursework before taking the comprehensive examination. The problem is that, often, courses of interest are not offered in the same semester, or for that matter, in the same year. Thus, scholars are forced to take courses that may not be of interest to them, to be able to appear for the comprehensive examination. Removal of the time-constraint from coursework requirements and the timing of the comprehensive exam, would greatly improve the programme.

Facilities for experimental work in general are good at IIT Kanpur. However, appropriate backup is not available to counter the contingency of repairs. The training and skill-upgradation of staff must be taken up as a high priority item to do justice to the existing experimental infrastructure.

An essential feature of a strong research institute is the existence of research groups. This implies more efficient utilisation of resources as well as a higher momentum of research activities. The Institute needs to encourage research in groups. An associated desirable situation would be increased multi-disciplinary activity. This will provide fresh air to research in traditional areas where the current line of thinking, methods and tools may not be adequate to address more complex problems. Alongside, inter-Institutional interactions may be stepped up with a view to solving some of the burning problems of the country by pooling the best human resources and facilities of the country.

A newly arrived scholar on campus today does not go through a formal orientation, unlike the undergraduate students. Thus, many a time, the scholar has to discover things about the Ph.D. programme for herself/himself. This occasionally gives rise to the impression that IIT Kanpur is primarily an undergraduate teaching institute, where research takes a back-seat. To counter this view, it would be useful if a booklet on the details of the Ph.D. programme could be prepared and given to each new entrant. Alongside, academic counselling of the Ph.D. programme entrants is desirable to ensure that these new scholars quickly understand the academic system at IIT Kanpur and the freedom it offers.

In the current competitive times, it is an understatement to say that better marketing strategies need to be employed to attract Ph.D. scholars to IIT Kanpur. A planned campaign aimed at the Masters' students at leading institutes/universities of the country, may draw more scholars to the Institute. All measures must be taken at the Institute to make the admission procedure as clear, quick and simple as possible. Other sure ways of attracting good scholars are by projecting the strength of the Institute, reducing bureaucracy at all levels of the student life on campus, acquiring and maintaining state-of-the-art facilities, and providing ample flexibility to Ph.D. scholars to interact laterally with researchers across the Institute.

The Future

Research in India is at crossroads today. The alarmingly small number of research scholars, compounded with the conventional mind-set of research in classical areas alone, is indeed suffocating. IIT Kanpur has begun to seriously address some of the perils on the road to research. It is clear that the new generation of researchers will spearhead this effort to renew the vigour of research at the Institute. It is reassuring to see that behind these young researchers are the more experienced faculty members, carefully and cautiously steering the research boats through the oceans of technology . . .

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