Chris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys and president of the Infosys Science Foundation, said: hindu Ahead of the announcement of the winners of the 14th Annual Infosys Awards. Infosys Prize awards are presented annually to honor the outstanding achievements of contemporary researchers and scientists across various categories.
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of interest in the fields of science, technology and research among the general public. Is Science Finally Justified in India?
After COVID, there is a growing appreciation for science and technology. Vaccines, remote work via the internet, ventilators, predicting the progression of the virus, and understanding how the virus mutates are all due to technological advances. India’s unique role in its ability to create affordable technology solutions is appreciated by the world. Overnight, the IT services industry transitioned to working from home, with minimal impact on the global economy and businesses.
You have argued for the need to raise the level of funding for science and research in this country. But there is no significant increase in funding levels. What do I have to do to deal with this?
This requires a cultural and mindset shift. The Indian industry is now either investing in in-house research and development or repurposing products that worked elsewhere. Research is done in academia, but much more can be done. Similarly, philanthropy focuses on helping people and finding out why they need support today. Research looks to find solutions to future problems. There is an element of uncertainty in the study as no solution is guaranteed.
We need to convince people and companies that we need to focus equally on supporting research. Research also creates intellectual property that can be commercialized and grow the economy faster.
Isn’t science and research in India confined to big cities? How can we do science and research in Tier-II and Tier-III cities?
Science and research are restricted to Tier-II academic and research organizations. So it depends on where these organizations are located. Some of these are not in Tier-I cities. That being said, research commercialization has mostly taken place in Tier-I cities such as Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. These places are magnets for attracting venture capital and people.
What role can science play in solving climate change and other problems?
Technology and innovation play a key role in creating new solutions to the problems facing the world. Alternative fuels and energy sources, energy efficient buildings, and improved energy distribution and use are science solutions.
What can we expect from the 14th Infosys Awards? Is there anything new this time?
We will have to wait for the announcement of the winners. Each year, we are pleased to showcase the scientists and engineers who have advanced the field further by creating new knowledge and solutions. Each one affects the future. They inspire a new generation of students to pursue science.
