National Institute of Science Education and Research

National Institute of Science Education and Research
राष्ट्रीय विज्ञान शिक्षा एवं अनुसंधान संस्थान
Motto विध्याऽमृत मश्नुते
Motto in English
 Knowledge Imparts Immortality
Established 2007
Type Public
Chairman Anil Kakodkar
Director V. Chandrashekar [1]
Postgraduates 250[2]
60[3]
Location Bhubaneswar[4], Odisha, India
20°16′N 85°50′E / 20.27°N 85.84°ECoordinates: 20°16′N 85°50′E / 20.27°N 85.84°E
Campus 298 acres[5]
Affiliations Homi Bhabha National Institute [6]
Website www.niser.ac.in

The National Institute of Science Education and Research (Hindi: राष्ट्रीय विज्ञान शिक्षा एवं अनुसंधान संस्थान, NISER) is a research institution in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone on August 28, 2006, establishing the institute along the lines of the IISc in Bangalore, and its five sister institutions, the IISERs that are being established at Pune, Mohali, Kolkata, Bhopal and Thiruvanthapuram in India.[7]

Unlike the IISERs, which will be governed by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, NISER operates under the umbrella of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The government of India has earmarked an initial outlay of INR823.19 crore (US$130 million) during the first seven years of this project, starting from September 2007.

The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has stated that NISER will compare with the best institutions in the country in terms of facilities and faculty.[7] This move will help elevate the standard of research and education in Odisha.[8]

Academics

The National Institute of Science Education and Research is dedicated to graduate education and research only. It offers a five-year integrated M.Sc. as well as Ph.D. degrees in pure and applied sciences.

NEST

The National Entrance Screening Test or NEST is a compulsory test for admission to the 5-year Integrated MSc programme in basic sciences - Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics - at National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Center for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CBS), Mumbai. Both NISER and CBS are autonomous institutions established by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, in 2007.

Students

Integrated MSc Program

Students graduating after 10+2 years of schooling (or equivalent) are admitted into NISER's integrated M.Sc. programs through a competitive annual examination, the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST). The first batch was admitted in September 2007. As of 2009, obtaining a seat in NISER has become highly competitive. From a total of 70,000 applicants nationwide, only 0.325% qualify for admission.

Scholarships

NISER has been included in the list of a selected few institutions where students directly qualify to receive a scholarship under the Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) category of the INSPIRE(Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)[9] programme launched by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

All admitted students receive a scholarship of INR5000 (US$79) per month which should be sufficient to meet the course fees and boarding costs. Students also receive a contingency grant of INR20000 (US$320) per year to facilitate their academic pursuits.[10] [11]

PhD Program

In 2010 January, NISER started offering a Doctoral Programme under the guidance of faculty members of NISER to students with a Master degree in basic sciences, e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. To get admission, students have to qualify the CSIRNET/GATE/ NBHM or equivalent examination valid for the current year in the relevant area of research.

List of schools and departments

NISER has five schools. They are:

Campus and township

Campus

During the construction phase of the permanent campus, the institution is functioning under the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar (IOPB).

The Odisha government has provided 300 acres (1.2 km2) free of cost for the upcoming campus, in Barunei Hills, between Bhubaneswar, the state capital and Khurda. This location is a few km southwest of Bhubaneswar. The institute is located at Jatni (Khurda road) town.

The campus will contain academic as well as residential areas. The academic township will have a total building area of 56,500 m² consisting classrooms, faculty offices, a computer centre, a central library, administrative offices, a cafeteria, a workshop complex, an auditorium, and teaching and research laboratories. The sports complex, which would include aquatic facilities and a playground, would occupy 20,000 m².

Residential buildings, including hostels, apartments, faculty and staff housing of different categories, a guest house, a medical center (with 20 beds), a community center with shopping arcade, a gym, children's school etc., would occupy an area of 1,02,000 m².

The entire NISER township is stipulated to be completed within 36 months. A separate 3-acre (12,000 m2) campus near the Bhubaneswar city center is also being established.[12]

Education hub

Several other universities and research institutions are either present or being established in the vicinity, including IIT Bhubaneswar, XIMB, IIIT, and one of the Indian government's proposed National Universities of international calibre,[13] an AIIMS-like medical institution, Institute of Mathematics and Applications and the Institute of Physics. In fact NISER's campus is located 2 km away from the IIT.[14][15] An advantage of this institution is its location at Bhubaneswar, an emerging education hub, that is being promoted as an Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) by the government.[16] A total of 40 km2 of land has been allocated for the purpose, out of which about 60% will be devoted to research and development.[17] An estimated INR 7.8 billion will be invested by the Indian government within the next few years in order to develop the institute.

Annual Festival

The students of NISER hold an annual cultural festival called Udbhava, usually in the months of September/October.Many activities like fashion show, Abhivyakti a street dance competition where some of the best dancer and dancing group take part from all over Odisha, General Quiz show, debates and discussion on various current issues are held.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "History". National Institute of Science Education and Research. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  2. ↑ "Students: 5 year Integrated M.Sc.". National Institute of Science Education and Research. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  3. ↑ "Students: Ph.D.". National Institute of Science Education and Research. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  4. ↑ "History". National Institute of Science Education and Research. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  5. ↑ "Campus". National Institute of Science Education and Research. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  6. ↑ Press Information Bureau English Releases. Pib.nic.in. Retrieved on 2013-12-06.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "PM announces setting up of National Institute of Science Education and Research at Bhubaneswar".
  8. ↑ "Cry to End Higher Education Divide".
  9. ↑ "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research".
  10. ↑ "Scholarships for NISER students".
  11. ↑ "INSPIRE Scholarship".
  12. ↑ "Govt committed to support educational ventures".
  13. ↑ "Setting up World Class Universities".
  14. ↑ "Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Urban Complex" (PDF).
  15. ↑ Nirmalya Mukherjee, Business Standard (Mar 19, 2007). "Plan to develop Bhubaneswar, Cuttack".
  16. ↑ "IL&FS to prepare DPR for Bhubaneswar ITIR".
  17. ↑ "IL&FS-IDC submits final report on IT investment region".

External links