A "paper" by two health ministry researchers claiming that COVID-19 in India will end by mid-September has been published in a predatory journal. The authors also have a conflict of interest, which is not disclosed in the "paper". A “paper” based on a mathematical model published in the journal Epidemiology International by two scientists from … Continue reading ‘Paper’ in predatory journal by health ministry claims COVID-19 in India will end by mid-September
UGC
UGC’s half-hearted attempt to teach research ethics
Finally, UGC is set to introduce a course for PhD students on research and publication ethics. Ironically, the course will not be teaching even the basics of preparing images for publication. India has the highest probability of containing problematic images in published papers. After years of ignoring the elephant in the room, the University Grants … Continue reading UGC’s half-hearted attempt to teach research ethics
Paper publication prior to PhD thesis submission rule may go
Balaram committee has recommended to do away with the current UGC rule requiring PhD students to publish a paper prior to thesis submission. Many institutions have abdicated the responsibility for PhD quality by outsourcing it to journals, says Prof. Balaram. Prof. VijayRaghavan's alternative solution is to allow students to submit thesis chapters to a preprint server … Continue reading Paper publication prior to PhD thesis submission rule may go
Mystery of the missing ‘excerpts of Murmu committee recommendations’
The excerpts of the Murmu committee recommendations for revision of emoluments for PhD students was tweeted by DST on February 2. The same was removed when DST again tweeted the official memorandum on February 4. The official memorandum posted on the DST website too does not have the excerpts of the committee recommendations. On February … Continue reading Mystery of the missing ‘excerpts of Murmu committee recommendations’
‘Financial reward for publishing papers is a hare-brained scheme’
A one-time financial reward of Rs.50,000 and Rs.20,000 has been recommended for papers published in international and Indian journals respectively. And an incentive of Rs.1,00,000 on obtaining an India or international patent. However, doling out incentives for paper publication and patent filing is a terrible idea. The Science Ministry doesn't seem to have learnt from … Continue reading ‘Financial reward for publishing papers is a hare-brained scheme’
DST to incentivise quality research by PhD students
An empowered committee that has been formed will periodically visit the quantum of fellowship and incentivise research. Besides other incentives, there will be one for patents and quality publications. The hike…
Government hikes research fellowship by 24-25%
The government today announced 24-25% hike in fellowship to JRFs and SRFs respectively. The revised fellowship will take effect from January 2019 onwards. This is the lowest percentage hike since 2006. Today, the Ministry of Science and Technology officially announced a hike in research fellowship of Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) and Senior Research Fellows (SRFs). … Continue reading Government hikes research fellowship by 24-25%
Fellowship hike will be announced today: Ashutosh Sharma
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST has confirmed that fellowship hike will be announced today. The percentage hike was not mentioned. The hike will be applicable to all researcher scholars immaterial of which central agency is funding them. “Fellowship hike will be announced today,” Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST said in a message to me. But … Continue reading Fellowship hike will be announced today: Ashutosh Sharma
Fellowship hike will be announced today or tomorrow: VijayRaghavan
Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India confirmed in an email to me that fellowship hike will be announced today or tomorrow. The Finance Ministry has already passed the order based on the recommendation by DST. DST and finance Ministry will announce levels of hike. Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser … Continue reading Fellowship hike will be announced today or tomorrow: VijayRaghavan
Fellowship hike will happen as soon as possible: Ashutosh Sharma
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma says Finance Ministry may soon notify fellowship hike for research scholars funded by different agencies. Research scholars have been demanding for an increase since July-August last year. DST is also coordinating a mechanism to ensure speedy and regular release of fellowship. Research scholars from various institutions and labs across the country who … Continue reading Fellowship hike will happen as soon as possible: Ashutosh Sharma
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