Improving the quality of R&D in science and its optimum exploitation goes a long way in deciding the future of a nation. There is a lot to be done to change the basic mindset prevalent in the society toward the sciences. School of Basic Sciences & Research is dedicated towards building young minds through a curriculum and methodology of teaching that promotes reasoning over rote memorization. In an attempt to build inquisitiveness in young minds which can later end up in research, an innovative lecture titled “Tips to Crack the NET exam” was recently delivered by Dr. Noopur Srivastava (Assistant Prof, Department of Chemistry, SBSR). How National Eligibility Test conducted by CSIR-UGC is a gateway in our country to start a career as Lecturer or Assistant Professors in various Colleges, Universities, Educational Institutions and R & D sector was the gist of her lecture. The talk revolved around how JRF exam is instrumental in applying for Ph.D. from any of the prestigious Indian institutions and is useful in up-skilling practical learning. Careers coming through this modus operandi viz. – a lecturer, a group leader that involves managing the entire research team, supervising research students, teaching, reviewing grants and papers and presenting the work of the laboratory was also elaborated in this session.

In conjunction to the above Chemistry Club conducted test series for the preparation of CSIR-UGC NET exam at regular intervals spread across the entire semester on the dates – 9th Jan (Physical Chemistry), 10th Feb (Organic Chemistry), 24th March (Inorganic Chemistry), 21st April (Analytical Chemistry) 2017, each pertaining to different area of specialization in the subject. This was a continuing effort of the previous year by the department for enabling the M.Sc. (Chemistry) students to crack the exam. All the M.Sc. Chemistry (previous as well as final year) students participated in the test series. This was a stepping stone by the department to create scientific temper among the youth and to create a profound interest in science.

Written by: Dr. Noopur Srivastava (Assistant Professor – SBSR)