By B Jayakishore
It was a great evening on Tuesday as I had a chance to meet Dr.Nagabhushana Prabhu, Director, Molecular Engineering Laboratory James J.solberg, Head and professor, school of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, USA at National college, Bangalore.
He is the first indian to head the department in this college, which is ranked No.2 in the US, as far as undergraduate programmes are concerned. Which has also produced several bright minds who run organizations like UPS,Microsoft,IBM and such others. Dr.Prabhu was here to inaugurate the 3oth Science festival, which is being held at Bangalore Science Forum, National college.
Interestingly, He is not persuing what he'd studied! Dr.Prabhu was a Bangalorean, was a student of National college, Rank holder in SSLC and has secured his B.tech in Computer science from IIT Bombay in 1988. For the degree he has, he could have got a well payed job and life could have been nice. But his passion for research in Basic sciences has made him today what he is.
After doing his B.tech degree, he moved to USA and shifted his subject from Computer science to physics! He carried out research in 'Theoretrical physics' in Massachusetts Institute Of Technology(MIT) in 1998. After that he followed his dream and recognized his passion for Mathematics and done his phd on the same subject in Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Newyork. He is also interested in Operations Research. Currently he is involved in the study on developing a technology to identify the cancerous cells causing breast cancer, so that the sample cells can be just taken out from the breast through needle, without operating it.
He says:'Educational background doesn't decides one's capabilities. So, creating the 'Permissive'atmosphere to explore one's abilities which might one day can become contribution to the development of the nation is important' Excerpts from the interview.
How do you find the difference between educatinal systems in India and America?
Well, Being spent 20 years in US, I find educational system is totally different in US than in india. For instance, take the procedures for admission to professional colleges here. If you want to get into IIT, only criteria is to get good scores in JEE or it is CET in the case of engineering colleges in Karnataka. If he doesn't do well in these, he is not given opportunity to persue the course even if he is capable of it just because, he was not able to get good scores in JEE/CET. I really question the system, where in whole future of a person is decided on the basis of mere three hour examination, rather than looking into his other abillities and accomplishments.
In US also we do have a test called SAT(Scholastic Aptitude test) for admission to top universities. But this is only part of the admission proccess. If a person proves his competency or ability in certain aspect, he is eligible for admission eventhough he scores less in SAT. What I mean is, in US, while admitting a student to a university, importance is not given only to examination scores, But also to his performances in other activities and accomplishments. Simply put, There a person is decided only on his overall accomplishments. Not only on the basis of marks.
Interestingly, there even a high school students are also into research works! We don't have such a permissive atmosphere in india. I saw a 11th standard student who got very low score in SAT, but he has solved a mathamatics problem in such a way that eventually it became a resarch contribution! So, if a student has such accomplishments or competence, there he can be admitted to universities.
So, I advice that atleast 10-20 percent of the seats in our professional colleges should be set aside to encourage the students who are extremely talented, but somehow fared poor in examinations. If our admission procedures are modified to give importance also to creativity,talent etc, then no doubt india can also become leader in scientific research in the lines of advanced countrys.
How the talent recognition can be done to promote the research in Basic sciences?
I say, glamourise science by conducting 'National level competitions'. In US we have Intel science and engineering competitions for those who are interested and has passion for Basic science. These kind of competitions are the forum to talented young minds to showcase their abilities to world. They should be given opportunity to persue their dream.
I pity that, Even though able persons like Dr.A.H.Ramarao, who has got ability to conduct such competitions and even if he does it we find no participants here! Who will participate in such things when there is no hope or promise of good life out of it? So, there is urgent need to make system to be more 'Permissive' so that atleast interested can persue their dreams.
In US we have National science foundation which gives small grants for explorary research works. For instance if anybody has a crackpot idea, and needs some seed capital to start research, he can directly approach the foundation. It gives as much as 1000 dollors initially to start the project. No hassles to get money if his idea is really worth it. Probably these are the important lessons we have to learn from America.
How indian scientists feel about America?As you aware, now it's reverse braindrain happening...
Well, Reverse brain drain may be true in the case of Information technology. But not in the Basic sciences. In this field opportunities are plenty and much bettter in America than in india. America is most fertile climate for basic research I believe. Many indian scientists also feel it is much 'Easier' to carry out research work there.
How can we inculcate scientific temper in rural india?
I think Television is the strong medium to reach rural india. Added to this are Internet, cellphones and and other communication tools can be useful in transmitting knowledge to rural india.This is already happening.
But still india is lagging behind in scientific research field, even if it's economy is booming?
Ofcourse, It will take some time. But as I said earlier it's already started. India has made impressive stride in every aspect of development in recent years. It is now an emerging economy. That is why I stress on need for creating more 'Permissive' atmosphere.
Being a kannadiga what is your say on teaching science in Kannada? Can we meet global competence by learning it in Kannada?
Well, I pass this question. I don't want to get into language politics! Iam not qualified to answer this question..ha..ha..ha...
How do you feel about Bangalore now?
I think Traffic is littlebit heavy here. In Westlafayatte, city in America where i live, once witnessed a traffic jam. That had became a 'Big news' there such a way that even TV crew had come to cover it! But Bangalore is Bangalore. I love it very much. I feel 'Fresh' here despite it's pollution,vehicle traffic and all only for it's greenary. I even appreciate peoples concerned to preserve the greenary. That is why, I believe, Bangalore has still remained 'Green city'! As far as land value is concerned, it is far more expensive here than in America. Land value here is fast becoming beyond reach.
Can you share some sweet memories of your days in National college?
Oh! I owe it all to National college what Iam today. Though I could have settled with good job offer after finishing my B.tech,it never influenced me. Always I chose to do what I liked. I believe in chasing dreams and achieving it. I learn't it in National college, probably one of the best schools in the world.
What is your message to 'Young minds'?
I advice them what I was adviced. Believe in what you do. Recognise what you really enjoy and in what you are really good at. It's upto you for to recognize your your power, passion and potential. Success won't come easily. Strive hard for nurture your talent. Have perseverance. When your intention is genuine, resources are not at all an issue. Chase the dream. Let it be your personal journey. Obviously, It is difficult. But it will fulfill you and your life.
It was a great evening on Tuesday as I had a chance to meet Dr.Nagabhushana Prabhu, Director, Molecular Engineering Laboratory James J.solberg, Head and professor, school of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, USA at National college, Bangalore.
He is the first indian to head the department in this college, which is ranked No.2 in the US, as far as undergraduate programmes are concerned. Which has also produced several bright minds who run organizations like UPS,Microsoft,IBM and such others. Dr.Prabhu was here to inaugurate the 3oth Science festival, which is being held at Bangalore Science Forum, National college.
Interestingly, He is not persuing what he'd studied! Dr.Prabhu was a Bangalorean, was a student of National college, Rank holder in SSLC and has secured his B.tech in Computer science from IIT Bombay in 1988. For the degree he has, he could have got a well payed job and life could have been nice. But his passion for research in Basic sciences has made him today what he is.
After doing his B.tech degree, he moved to USA and shifted his subject from Computer science to physics! He carried out research in 'Theoretrical physics' in Massachusetts Institute Of Technology(MIT) in 1998. After that he followed his dream and recognized his passion for Mathematics and done his phd on the same subject in Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Newyork. He is also interested in Operations Research. Currently he is involved in the study on developing a technology to identify the cancerous cells causing breast cancer, so that the sample cells can be just taken out from the breast through needle, without operating it.
He says:'Educational background doesn't decides one's capabilities. So, creating the 'Permissive'atmosphere to explore one's abilities which might one day can become contribution to the development of the nation is important' Excerpts from the interview.
How do you find the difference between educatinal systems in India and America?
Well, Being spent 20 years in US, I find educational system is totally different in US than in india. For instance, take the procedures for admission to professional colleges here. If you want to get into IIT, only criteria is to get good scores in JEE or it is CET in the case of engineering colleges in Karnataka. If he doesn't do well in these, he is not given opportunity to persue the course even if he is capable of it just because, he was not able to get good scores in JEE/CET. I really question the system, where in whole future of a person is decided on the basis of mere three hour examination, rather than looking into his other abillities and accomplishments.
In US also we do have a test called SAT(Scholastic Aptitude test) for admission to top universities. But this is only part of the admission proccess. If a person proves his competency or ability in certain aspect, he is eligible for admission eventhough he scores less in SAT. What I mean is, in US, while admitting a student to a university, importance is not given only to examination scores, But also to his performances in other activities and accomplishments. Simply put, There a person is decided only on his overall accomplishments. Not only on the basis of marks.
Interestingly, there even a high school students are also into research works! We don't have such a permissive atmosphere in india. I saw a 11th standard student who got very low score in SAT, but he has solved a mathamatics problem in such a way that eventually it became a resarch contribution! So, if a student has such accomplishments or competence, there he can be admitted to universities.
So, I advice that atleast 10-20 percent of the seats in our professional colleges should be set aside to encourage the students who are extremely talented, but somehow fared poor in examinations. If our admission procedures are modified to give importance also to creativity,talent etc, then no doubt india can also become leader in scientific research in the lines of advanced countrys.
How the talent recognition can be done to promote the research in Basic sciences?
I say, glamourise science by conducting 'National level competitions'. In US we have Intel science and engineering competitions for those who are interested and has passion for Basic science. These kind of competitions are the forum to talented young minds to showcase their abilities to world. They should be given opportunity to persue their dream.
I pity that, Even though able persons like Dr.A.H.Ramarao, who has got ability to conduct such competitions and even if he does it we find no participants here! Who will participate in such things when there is no hope or promise of good life out of it? So, there is urgent need to make system to be more 'Permissive' so that atleast interested can persue their dreams.
In US we have National science foundation which gives small grants for explorary research works. For instance if anybody has a crackpot idea, and needs some seed capital to start research, he can directly approach the foundation. It gives as much as 1000 dollors initially to start the project. No hassles to get money if his idea is really worth it. Probably these are the important lessons we have to learn from America.
How indian scientists feel about America?As you aware, now it's reverse braindrain happening...
Well, Reverse brain drain may be true in the case of Information technology. But not in the Basic sciences. In this field opportunities are plenty and much bettter in America than in india. America is most fertile climate for basic research I believe. Many indian scientists also feel it is much 'Easier' to carry out research work there.
How can we inculcate scientific temper in rural india?
I think Television is the strong medium to reach rural india. Added to this are Internet, cellphones and and other communication tools can be useful in transmitting knowledge to rural india.This is already happening.
But still india is lagging behind in scientific research field, even if it's economy is booming?
Ofcourse, It will take some time. But as I said earlier it's already started. India has made impressive stride in every aspect of development in recent years. It is now an emerging economy. That is why I stress on need for creating more 'Permissive' atmosphere.
Being a kannadiga what is your say on teaching science in Kannada? Can we meet global competence by learning it in Kannada?
Well, I pass this question. I don't want to get into language politics! Iam not qualified to answer this question..ha..ha..ha...
How do you feel about Bangalore now?
I think Traffic is littlebit heavy here. In Westlafayatte, city in America where i live, once witnessed a traffic jam. That had became a 'Big news' there such a way that even TV crew had come to cover it! But Bangalore is Bangalore. I love it very much. I feel 'Fresh' here despite it's pollution,vehicle traffic and all only for it's greenary. I even appreciate peoples concerned to preserve the greenary. That is why, I believe, Bangalore has still remained 'Green city'! As far as land value is concerned, it is far more expensive here than in America. Land value here is fast becoming beyond reach.
Can you share some sweet memories of your days in National college?
Oh! I owe it all to National college what Iam today. Though I could have settled with good job offer after finishing my B.tech,it never influenced me. Always I chose to do what I liked. I believe in chasing dreams and achieving it. I learn't it in National college, probably one of the best schools in the world.
What is your message to 'Young minds'?
I advice them what I was adviced. Believe in what you do. Recognise what you really enjoy and in what you are really good at. It's upto you for to recognize your your power, passion and potential. Success won't come easily. Strive hard for nurture your talent. Have perseverance. When your intention is genuine, resources are not at all an issue. Chase the dream. Let it be your personal journey. Obviously, It is difficult. But it will fulfill you and your life.
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