Prof Rajan Gurukkal, Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, laid emphasis on the importance of research at the valedictory of the workshop on Research Methodology and Historiography on Sunday.
Speaking at the 21-day workshop organised by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Prof Rajan said, “Research associates must identify areas of specialisation and locate oneself in the area where performance can be excelled.
Critical self reflexivity is important and the same should lead to concurrent analysis of the work extended. Research candidates should focus on the elementary questions for an extensive research thesis.”
Dr Ishrat Alam, member secretary, ICHR, announced that grants for research associates had been enhanced. According to the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD), the revised grants were `16,000 per month from `6,000 for junior research fellowship, `28,000 per month from `6,000 for general fellowship, `40,000 per month from `8,000 per month for senior research fellowship and `55,000 per month from `25,000 per month for national fellowship.
Dr S K Aruni, deputy director, ICHR said the matter regarding the enhancement of grants for fellowships was resolved after a meeting with Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal. Dr Aruni added, “The unique features of the recent schemes are that, the fellowships will be enhanced by the respective councils every five-year and have been de-linked from service or pension.”