Updated on: Wednesday, March 30, 2011
With only 16 per cent of IITians pursuing career in research and developmental studies while the rest moving into careers in management, India is slowly losing its edge over scientific research.
Reacting to the lecture of Subra Suresh, the Director of United States National Science Foundation where he highlighted the drastic fall in IITians going to US for higher studies, Prof Ananth said, "In 1977, about 80 per cent of IITians preferred the US as destination to pursue research and higher studies. But now only 16 per cent prefer the US".
The NSF Director told that if they don’t pursue research or have migrated to other streams it is a big loss to the world as it is losing the best scientific talent. It will have direct bearing on quality of work in research.
An IIT staff said many IITians are opting for managerial jobs and there is an increase in the number of students seeking recommendation letter for business schools.
Prof Ananth attributed this to the economic growth in the country.