CHENNAI: Think research even in your graduation. This is the mantra the Loyola College has taken up to motivate its under- and post-graduate students towards research, an area most neglected amidst craze for good grades.
The college has so far this year granted a total of `3.26 lakh as funds after shortlisting 30 best research ideas from its students.
“We wanted to encourage the UG and PG students to think about research. They should exchange and test ideas, see how successful they are. It would provide them an opportunity to identify issues and find solutions using research methodology,” said S Vincent, Dean of Research, who oversees the scheme christened as Loyola Research Park.
He said the scheme was mooted last year, but the implementation began this academic year when they asked each students in to submit ideas for research.
The scheme also aims to involve students with the industry. “The faculty and industrial professionals will help and guide the students,” says Vincent.
“My first research is on the current scenario of public policy of health insurance in India. I have also come up with future prediction and how market will change over the time,” said Aditya Gupta, a third-year UG economics student.
Neeba I Abraham, a second-year PG student, is researching the extent of chemical contamination in fishes from selected coastal regions of Ernakaulam and Chennai.
“The main objective is to identify chemicals like ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and formalin. To check the quantities of these chemicals, I will use various analytical methods like colorimetric and HPLP and so on and compare it from both TN and Kerala,” she said.
“Nowadays, students are not interested in research. Our objective is to instil the spirit of enquiry and scientific temper in the students from undergraduation itself,” said Dr Arockiasamy Xavier, Principal of the college.