Important Programs That Have Been Taken up for Implementation in FY 2015-16 Are As Follows

Annual Report for FY. 2015-‘16

The Vision Group on Science and Technology (VGST) was constituted by the Governmentin 2008 under the Chairmanship of distinguished scientist Bharat Ratna Prof. C.N.R. Rao, F.R.S., National Research Professor, Honorary President, JNCSAR. VGST serves as an apex body in the administrative control of the Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology & Science and Technology for recommending, co-ordination and implementation of science and technology programs in the State.

Important programs that have been taken up for implementation in FY 2015-16 are as follows:

1)Development of Centres of Excellence in Science, Engineering and Medicine (CESEM)- aims to provide grants to educational institutions for development of Centre of Excellence in Science, Engineering and Medicine. In FY 2015-16, 5 educational institutions have been supported.

2)Centres of Innovative Science & Engineering Education (CISEE) -aims to provide grants to educational institutions for development of Centers of Innovative Science & Engineering Education, where in 13 educational institutions have been supported in the current year.

3)Seed Money to Young Scientists for Research (SMYSR) -aims to provide research grants for young faculties to encourage research in their respective fields. 20 young scientists have been provided grants in the current year.

4)Karnataka Fund for Infrastructure Strengthening in Science and Technology (K-FIST) - aims to provide grants to higher educational institutions in the State for strengthening infrastructure facilities to carry out research and development. 30 educational institutions have been supported under two categories viz. Level -1 and Level – 2.

5)Technology related Innovative Projects (TRIP) - aims to provide grants to engineering and science college students both for undergraduate and graduate to encourage them to attract towards higher studies. 50 science and engineering students have been supported in the current year.

6)Science Melas (SM)-aims to provide grants to organize Science Melas for High School students to encourage development of creativity and scientific talent. These melas are being organized through Agastya International Foundation.

7)Research Fund for Talented Teachers (RFTT) - aims to support faculties of science and engineering, to motivate them for research. In FY 2015-16, 5 faculties have been supported.

8)Faculty Development Programme for Engineering Colleges Faculty Members (FDP-Engg) - aims to organize training workshops for engineering faculties in association with industries to impart them recent developments in their respective fields, so as to enhance their skill set and teaching methodologies. This program is being undertaken through VTU.