Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Initiative

18.11.2024

Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Initiative

Why in the news?               

               The Centre recently launched an initiative called Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) to support research in universities, especially central and state public universities.

About Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Initiative:

• It is an initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• While being aligned with the objectives set by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the PAIR programme will cultivate research excellence in central and state public universities by fostering collaborations with top-tier institutions via a mentorship-driven hub and spoke model.

○The hubs will guide emerging institutions (spokes) in research activities, and provide access to harness their resources and expertise, thus bridging the gap between institutions and nurturing a robust research ecosystem in India.

○In the first phase, the Hub institutions would include the top 25 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) overall ranking as well as Institutions of National Importance within the top 50 NIRF overall ranking.

○The spoken institutions will include Central and State Public Universities and select NITs and IIITs.

• Eligibility conditions would be expanded to include other universities and institutions in the subsequent phases.

○Each PAIR network would consist of one hub and up to seven spoke institutions.

○Only one proposal per hub institution is allowed, with a mandatory involvement of multi-departmental faculty teams from spoke institutions.

○Regional diversity among participants will also be ensured.

• The programme would help stimulate innovation in emerging institutions by leveraging mentorship from high-ranking institutions.

Objectives of the initiative:

• Stimulate scientific innovation in institutions with limited research in a mentorship mode by leveraging the knowledge and expertise of top-ranking institutions.
• Support internationally competitive research with substantial impact and outcome.
• Foster successful and productive collaborative networks between diverse institutions.
• Propel the advancement of institutions by (i) upscaling and building advanced research infrastructure and capabilities, (ii) enhancing the quality of research, and (iii) facilitating the infusion of best practices and research culture.

Key Facts about Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):

• It has been established with the ANRF 2023 Act.
• The ANRF aims to seed, grow, and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
• It will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
• With the establishment of ANRF, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), established by an act of Parliament in 2008, has been subsumed into ANRF.
• It will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions and create an interface mechanism for the participation and contribution of industries and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries

                                                                 Source: New India Express

Consider the following statements regarding the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Initiative, recently seen in the news:

Statement-I:It is an initiative of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Statement-II:It aims to promote innovation and collaborative research between institutions.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer D