NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (NUS) IS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDIAN STUDENTS FOR SHORT-TERM RESEARCH PROGRAMMES.SURBHI BHATIA REPORTS
TO facilitate stronger ties with Indian institutes, the National University of Singapore (NUS) has established an India Research Initiative. Under the initiative, the university is promoting research collaborations, seminars and faculty exchange with institutes such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, among others. Also, NUS is inviting students from Indian institutes to pursue short-term research. “Students will pursue research on a topic that interests them for three months and spend time in NUS laboratories with our faculty,” says BVR Chowdari, head, India research initiative, NUS.
Chowdari says majority of the students who have applied till now are interested in pursuing research in engineering. However, NUS has other departments as well and students can also explore the possibility of applying for a research scholarship in humanities and science. “Around 100 students have applied and most of them belong to institutes with whom we have formal MoUs and they come from an engineering background. However, the programme is open to students who are keen on an international research experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in any area of study offered by NUS,” he adds.
As for the eligibility criteria, Chowdari says, “We prefer students who are at the end of third year so that they are sufficiently trained to pursue research. Students interested in taking up research in science could apply at the end of the first year Master’s programme. Those pursuing a five-year integrated course at the IITs can apply at the end of the fourth year.”
Elaborating on the number of scholarships, he adds, “There is no fixed number as of now, it depends on the department. For example, the physics department is aiming to attract 20 to 25 students every year for this research fellowship.” Application for 2010 is open and students can apply online. The scholarship includes travel, food and lodging.
