This cell will be a part of Research Promotion Cell (RPC) of the varsity, established with the aim of easing the entire research process, from making funds available for research and letting the projects be available to those who wish to access them.
One of the members of RPC, requesting anonymity said, “It is still at a very initial stage and will take time to get implemented as it just a vision right now. We would, of course, like to begin right away, but there’s no telling how long it will take. Prof R K Kohli, Dean University Instructions (DUI), came up with the idea.”
Talking to Chandigarh Newsline, Prof Kohli said, “I had proposed this cell, but it will take time to materialize. This will be the first cell of its kind. Our effort are being directed to promote research.”
The varsity has a budget of around Rs 40 crore, with a total number of 187 ongoing projects.
RPC began to function partially in August 2012, but research records are yet to be made available in the library.
The varsity had already singed various memorandum of understandings (MoUs) for research purposes with several institutes such as the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO), IMTECH, University of Western Australia, University of Salzburg, Austria. Oxford Brookes University and ONGC.
Interestingly, the Central government’s Department of Science and Technology had recently selected Panjab University for the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence.