Medical schools in the US and Europe have successfully integrated these three disciplines (Medical sciences ,Biological sciences, Engineering & Technology)and created Research ecosystem resulting into tremendous break-throughs but also accelerated in building an emerging business ecosystem which opened up a global market to cater, a prime example is the development of m RNA vaccine for Covid-19, this was developed based on the research conducted at Pennsylvania Medical school and had a huge impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.
Unfortunately we have been unable to build such integrated research ecosystem in our country and more specifically in Goa largely because these three disciplines namely Basic sciences, Engineering Technology and Clinical Sciences operate in silos and often they are also practised in different institutions.
IISc a 112-year-old pre-eminent research institution for Science and Engineering based at Bangalore was the first to sense this the entire project estimated cost was in tune of Rs 900 cr. The compelling vision and the energy of this project made people think beyond 2% and the outcome was that both Parthasarathy and Subroto Bagchi (Founders of Mind Tree Consulting) and their families assured a donation of Rs 425 crores; a single largest funding ever received by IISc in several decades and this may also be the single largest donation given to any academic institution in India by a donor who is not running that academic institution. What can Goa learn, internalise and implement from this unique visionary philanthropic initiative?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Goa is still in primitive stage and largely limited by 2% and short term, event based with weak co-relations to SDG (Sustainable Development Goals).
But there is a silver lining as well, Goa falls among India’s two biodiversity zones India has, it’s a state which is one of the most popular destinations internationally with state-of-the-art seaport and seamless air connectivity and 4 lane express ways.
We have IIT, NIIT and Asia’s oldest Medical institute, Super speciality hospital; industrial estates with leading MNCs, Pharma Hub with more than 28 pharma companies. Goa has over 100+ NGOs and 3000 Self-help groups perfect crucible for long term and sustainable projects like the one at IISc if we co-create and compliment.
Goa’s unique topography, socio economic cultural flavor makes it an ideal place to build unique “Research Hub” which can export R&D to the world which in turn will propel local industries, generate employment.
To build a sustainable research ecosystem in a cost effective way we need to reflect on the following:
Back to drawing board: A state that gave scientists like Dr Mashelkar, Dr Anil Kakodkar and many more to the world can easily on board experts to make a compelling vision.
Cross pollination: Institutions & associations in Goa largely work in isolation and several R&D related high end infrastructure labs, initiatives are either duplicated or skewed we need to create pooled/shared resources and build healthy interdependencies.
Need for Data capture & analytics: State needs an integrated platform to collect, assess, analyse the research requirements, investment, efficiency, effectiveness of various research projects to understand and improvise the patterns.
Talent pool & demographic dividend: We need to move from piece meal and event based interventions to well thought sustainable systems for installing, nurturing and developing research temperament among students especially the rural areas.
Institute – Taluka connect: NMC (National Medical Council) is planning to introduce an interesting concept – FAP (Family Adoption Programme) for MBBS students, each student will have to adopt 5 under privileged/rural families and take care of their health and wellness, an unique idea which is win-win for both stake holders, on one hand it will enhances empathy and learning for students and on the other hand it will provide personal care at affordable or no cost to the under privileged.
On similar lines it should be made mandatory for Technical institutes to adopt/allocate Talukas and make them accountable for building, nurturing the scientific index of every village in that Taluka by performance linked grant in aid sanctions and disbursal.
Export R&D: Goa needs to set up projects similar to “Bagchi-Parthasarthy-IISc Medical research Hospital” to focus on research which will impact Global challenges, needs which will in return propel the Pharma and allied industries both in Goa and outside.
Untapped MSME: Lot of indigenous applied research is happening in Goa’s MSME sector at low cost but such stories are untapped and seldom recognised or appreciated.
Upgrade teachers/faculties: Goa should swiftly implement “Professor-Practitioner” which was recently approved by UGC, Institutes/Colleges should be given freedom to onboard Industry experts with immediate effect.
CSR Incubator: Goa is sitting on a 4 to 6Bn INR CSR fund annually, however its utilisation is still traditional, short term and event centric, the entire approach towards CSR needs desperate innovation and change of mindset. The new Government should bring all the 4 interventions to reinvent CSR.
Convex Lens Governing system: Goa also needs a Task force which acts as convex lens to ensure that all the efforts, time, money which are running like parallel lines (isolation) are converged and with a clear focus towards making Goa a research hub of global stature.
Time is apt as the new government takes over, a new Chief Secretary and renewed hope to revisit our perception of CSR as limiting it to signing a cheque or as a mere PR strategy, the need of the hour is to think beyond 2%; and make collective and sincere efforts to make Goa a hub for “Global Research”.
(Kishore Shah is the pioneer founder of Goa CSR awards)
